OREANDA-NEWS. Merck (NYSE:MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced that researchers are scheduled to provide more than 30 scientific data presentations on the company’s established and investigational infectious disease medicines and vaccines at the American Society for Microbiology’s ASM Microbe 2016 meeting in Boston, June 16-20.

Researchers will present results of a Phase 2 clinical trial of relebactam, the company’s investigational beta-lactamase inhibitor, in combination with imipenem/cilastatin (an approved carbapenem antibiotic), in patients with complicated urinary tract infections, including those caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

Among other presentations, researchers also will present studies showing updated data from the Phase 3 trials and updated data on the in vitro activity of ZERBAXA® (ceftolozane and tazobactam) 1.5 g. ZERBAXA is indicated for the treatment of adults with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis, and in combination with metronidazole, complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) caused by designated susceptible Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.

Select data presentations at ASM Microbe include:

Relebactam + Imipenem/Cilastatin

  • Phase 2 Study of Relebactam (REL) + Imipenem/Cilastatin (IMI) vs. IMI Alone in Subjects with Complicated Urinary Tract Infection (cUTI), M. Sims (Poster No. 472, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m., Monday, June 20, Exhibit Halls A and B)
  • In Vitro Activity of Imipenem-Relebactam (MK-7655) against Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from the United States - SMART 2015, M. Hackel (Poster No. 340, 12:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m., Saturday, June 18, Exhibit Halls A and B)
  • Activity of Imipenem-Relebactam (MK-7655) against Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Europe - SMART 2015, M. Hackel (Poster No. 337, 12:45 - 2:45 p.m., Saturday, June 18, Exhibit Halls A and B)

ZERBAXA (ceftolozane and tazobactam)

  • Activity of Ceftolozane-Tazobactam (TOL/TAZ) against Drug-Resistant Gram-Negative Pathogens Collected from USA Medical Centers in 2015, M. Huband (Poster No. 430, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m., Monday, June 20, Exhibit Halls A and B)
  • In Vitro Activity of Ceftolozane-Tazobactam against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacteriaceae Isolates Collected from Medical Centers in the USA in 2015, M. Huband (Poster No. 431, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m., Monday, June 20, Exhibit Halls A and B)
  • Analysis of Diabetes Patients with Complicated Intra-Abdominal Infection or Complicated Urinary Tract Infection in Phase 3 Trials of Ceftolozane/Tazobactam, M. Popejoy (Poster No. 430, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m., Friday, June 17, Exhibit Halls A and B)

Merck’s commitment to infectious diseases

For more than 80 years, Merck has contributed to the discovery and development of novel medicines and vaccines to combat infectious diseases. In addition to a combined portfolio of antibiotic and antifungal medicines, vaccines, and medicines for HIV and HCV, Merck has multiple programs that span discovery through late-stage development. Merck currently has 10 compounds in Phase 2/Phase 3 clinical trials for the potential treatment or prevention of infectious diseases.

About ZERBAXA

ZERBAXA is an antibacterial combination product for intravenous infusion consisting of the cephalosporin antibacterial drug ceftolozane sulfate and the beta-lactamase inhibitor tazobactam sodium.

ZERBAXA is approved in the United States and is indicated in adult patients for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis, caused by the following Gram-negative microorganisms: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. ZERBAXA used in combination with metronidazole is indicated in adult patients for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) caused by the following Gram-negative and Gram-positive microorganisms: Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacteroides fragilis, Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus constellatus, and Streptococcus salivarius.

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of ZERBAXA (ceftolozane and tazobactam) and other antibacterial drugs, ZERBAXA should be used only to treat infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.