AstraZeneca receives CHMP backing for antibiotic Zinforo

AstraZeneca has been granted a recommendation from the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) for its new antibiotic product Zinforo.

The CHMP has issued a positive opinion on the approval of the intravenous cephalosporin antibiotic for the treatment of adult patients with complicated skin and soft tissue infections or community-acquired pneumonia.

It is the first monotherapy antibiotic to combine the tolerability of the cephalosporin class with effective coverage of a range of bacteria responsible for serious illnesses, including MRSA and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Data from phase III clinical trials has confirmed the effectiveness of the compound, which was originally developed by Forest Laboratories and introduced under the trade name Teflaro in the US last year.

Martin Mackay, president of research and development at AstraZeneca, said: "We remain one of the few companies still committed to novel antibiotic research, with one of the world's largest antibacterial pipelines and many strong partnerships to address this significant unmet medical need."

Earlier this month, the company expanded its commercial capabilities after completing its acquisition of Ardea Biosciences.