AstraZeneca and Forest Laboratories begin phase III CAZ-AVI trials

AstraZeneca and Forest Laboratories have announced the initiation of phase III clinical trials of CAZ-AVI, a new combination therapy for serious Gram-negative bacterial infections.

The programme will encompass a total of five phase III studies of the ceftazidime/avibactam combination, which is designed to address ailments such as complicated intra-abdominal infections and complicated urinary tract infections.

By bringing together a broad-spectrum cephalosporin with a novel beta-lactamase inhibitor, the new therapy can overcome antibiotic resistance, which is becoming an increasingly prevalent and damaging trend.

The companies' intention is to demonstrate that CAZ-AVI can be an effective and well-tolerated treatment, building on positive data from phase II studies.

Anders Ekblom, executive vice-president of global medicines development at AstraZeneca, said: "This new step in the development of CAZ-AVI demonstrates our commitment to help meet the needs of hospitals facing additional healthcare costs linked to a rapid increase of antimicrobial resistant organisms."

Last month, AstraZeneca's collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb was bolstered by news that the diabetes drug Komboglyze has been recommended for approval by Europe's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use.