Merck Sharp and Dohme reports positive trial data for UTI therapy

Merck Sharp and Dohme has announced new clinical trial data showing the effectiveness of a new therapy for complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Data from the phase II study of relebactam, the company's investigational beta-lactamase inhibitor, showed that the drug met its primary efficacy endpoint when administered in combination with imipenem/cilastatin, an approved carbapenem antibiotic.

The addition of relebactam helps to restore the activity of imipenem against certain imipenem-resistant strains of Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae.

Two pivotal phase III studies of relebactam in combination with imipenem/cilastatin are currently ongoing to assess the therapy's effectiveness in treating serious bacterial infections, and is still recruiting patients.

Dr Amanda Paschke, director of infectious disease clinical research at Merck Research Laboratories, said: "We look forward to advancing our phase III clinical programme evaluating relebactam in combination with imipenem for use in the treatment of several complicated Gram-negative bacterial infections."

Earlier this week, the company reported findings from a systematic review of 58 publications that demonstrated the global impact and effectiveness of its drug Gardasil in real-world applications.