AstraZeneca’s new antibiotic shows efficacy in treating hospital-acquired pneumonia

AstraZeneca has announced positive results from a phase III trial of Zavicefta, its new ceftazidime-avibactam antibiotic therapy.

The combination antibiotic is intended for the treatment of a range of serious infections experienced by patients in hospital, with this new study assessing its effectiveness in the treatment of pneumonia.

Tested against meropenem for the treatment of adult patients suffering from hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia, Zavicefta was shown to deliver positive results.

AstraZeneca's antibiotic met the primary objective of statistical non-inferiority at the test of cure visit when compared to meropenem. It was also found that the mortality rate was very similar for both treatments.

Managing director of AstraZeneca's antibiotics business unit Hans Sijbesma said: "The positive results from this important phase III trial validate our science-led approach and confirm the effectiveness of Zavicefta in treating hospital-acquired pneumonia."

The full results from the trial are expected to be presented at a future scientific meeting.