Alkem launches novel antibiotic for MDR infections

Alkem (Intenza, critical care division) announced the launch of Zidavi, a new anti-infective, in India. The newly introduced antibiotic for multiple drug resistance (MDR) infections is in accordance with the company's goal of ensuring "affordability, accessibility, and availability" while saving critically ill patients' lives.

Zidavi, which is a novel combination of ceftazidime and avibactam, is recommended by the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) as a preferred treatment against OXA-48-like and Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) for pyelonephritis or Complicated Urinary Tract Infections (cUTI) and in other CRE infections caused by KPC and OXA-48 producers.

Speaking about this new development, the Alkem’s spokesperson said, "With the launch of Zidavi, our aim is to ensure that Alkem continues to remain at the forefront while partnering with clinicians for saving lives." Informing that the rise in infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative organisms in India, there is a need for more effective antibiotic treatment, the company stated, "The available evidence suggests that Zidavi (ceftazidime-avibactam) is a potential therapeutic option for the treatment of infections complicated by multi-drug resistant (MDR) organisms.

This combination has also been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), and Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) as an effective alternative to meropenem and colistin in hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and complicated intra-abdominal infections (IAIs)." Zidavi 2.5g (ceftazidime and avibactam) for infusion is available as a sterile powdered concentrate for reconstitution. Each single-dose vial contains ceftazidime pentahydrate, equivalent to 2g ceftazidime, and avibactam sodium, equivalent to 0.5 g avibactam.

According to the company, It is available at a price of Rs. 2,700/vial and its strength lies in its indigenously developed active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), which is manufactured in the company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Sikkim. Combination therapy with ceftazidime-avibactam presents a promising therapeutic option for the treatment of infections complicated by MDR Gram-negative pathogens, and the company claims all the evidence favours the use of Zidavi (ceftazidime-avibactam) in the Indian setting. Speaking about this new development, the Alkem’s spokesperson said, "With the launch of Zidavi, our aim is to ensure that Alkem continues to remain at the forefront while partnering with clinicians for saving lives."

Informing that the rise in infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative organisms in India, there is a need for more effective antibiotic treatment, the company stated, "The available evidence suggests that Zidavi (ceftazidime-avibactam) is a potential therapeutic option for the treatment of infections complicated by multi-drug resistant (MDR) organisms. This combination has also been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), and Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) as an effective alternative to meropenem and colistin in hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and complicated intra-abdominal infections (IAIs)." Zidavi 2.5g (ceftazidime and avibactam) for infusion is available as a sterile powdered concentrate for reconstitution.

Each single-dose vial contains ceftazidime pentahydrate, equivalent to 2g ceftazidime, and avibactam sodium, equivalent to 0.5 g avibactam. According to the company, It is available at a price of Rs. 2,700/vial and its strength lies in its indigenously developed active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), which is manufactured in the company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Sikkim. Combination therapy with ceftazidime-avibactam presents a promising therapeutic option for the treatment of infections complicated by MDR Gram-negative pathogens, and the company claims all the evidence favours the use of Zidavi (ceftazidime-avibactam) in the Indian setting.

Speaking about this new development, the Alkem’s spokesperson said, "With the launch of Zidavi, our aim is to ensure that Alkem continues to remain at the forefront while partnering with clinicians for saving lives." Informing that the rise in infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative organisms in India, there is a need for more effective antibiotic treatment, the company stated, "The available evidence suggests that Zidavi (ceftazidime-avibactam) is a potential therapeutic option for the treatment of infections complicated by multi-drug resistant (MDR) organisms.

This combination has also been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), and Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) as an effective alternative to meropenem and colistin in hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and complicated intra-abdominal infections (IAIs)." Zidavi 2.5g (ceftazidime and avibactam) for infusion is available as a sterile powdered concentrate for reconstitution. Each single-dose vial contains ceftazidime pentahydrate, equivalent to 2g ceftazidime, and avibactam sodium, equivalent to 0.5 g avibactam.

According to the company, It is available at a price of Rs. 2,700/vial and its strength lies in its indigenously developed active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), which is manufactured in the company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Sikkim. Combination therapy with ceftazidime-avibactam presents a promising therapeutic option for the treatment of infections complicated by MDR Gram-negative pathogens, and the company claims all the evidence favours the use of Zidavi (ceftazidime-avibactam) in the Indian setting.