Actavis welcomes positive trial data for new antibiotic

Actavis has welcomed the positive data generated from two phase III trials of a promising new antibiotic therapy.

Developed by the company's new subsidiary Forest Laboratories in partnership with AstraZeneca, the drug ceftazidime-avibactam has shown efficacy as a treatment for adult hospitalised patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections.

Data from the RECLAIM-1 and RECLAIM-2 trials showed the new product was able to meet its key objective of statistical non-inferiority compared to meropenem.

The antibiotic is being developed at a time when there is a strong need for new antimicrobial therapies, given the growing prevalence of multidrug-resistant superbugs.

Dr David Nicholson, senior vice-president for Actavis global brands research and development, said: "We are very pleased by these results, which support the potential of ceftazidime-avibactam as a new treatment option for patients with these serious and life-threatening intra-abdominal infections."

Actavis is now one of the world's fastest-growing specialty pharmaceutical companies, having completed the takeover of Forest Laboratories last month.