ZERBAXA®

(ceftolozane and tazobactam) for injection (1.5 g), for intravenous use

Clinical Efficacy of ZERBAXA® (ceftolozane and tazobactam) Against cUTIs

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Complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) in adult patients, including pyelonephritis

A total of 1068 adults hospitalized with cUTI (including pyelonephritis) were randomized and received study medications in a multinational, double-blind study comparing ZERBAXA 1.5 g (ceftolozane 1 g and tazobactam 0.5 g) intravenously every 8 hours to levofloxacin (750 mg intravenously once daily) for 7 days of therapy.

The primary efficacy endpoint was defined as complete resolution or marked improvement of the clinical symptoms and microbiological eradication (all uropathogens found at baseline at ≥105 were reduced to <104 CFU/mL) at the test-of-cure (TOC) visit 7 (± 2) days after the last dose of study drug.

The primary efficacy analysis population was the microbiologically modified intent-to-treat (mMITT) population, which included all patients who received study medication and had at least 1 baseline uropathogen. The key secondary efficacy endpoint was the composite microbiological and clinical cure response at the TOC visit in the microbiologically evaluable (ME) population, which included protocol-adherent mMITT patients with a urine culture at the TOC visit.

The mMITT population consisted of 800 patients with cUTI, including 656 (82%) with pyelonephritis. The median age was 50.5 years and 74% were female. Concomitant bacteremia was identified in 62 (7.8%) patients at baseline; 608 (76%) patients were enrolled in Eastern Europe and 14 (1.8%) patients were enrolled in the United States.

ZERBAXA demonstrated efficacy with regard to the composite endpoint of microbiological and clinical cure at the TOC visit in both the mMITT and ME populations (table below). Composite microbiological and clinical cure rates at the TOC visit by pathogen in the mMITT population are presented in the table below.

In the mMITT population, the composite cure rate in ZERBAXA-treated patients with concurrent bacteremia at baseline was 23/29 (79.3%).

Although a statistically significant difference was observed in the ZERBAXA arm compared to the levofloxacin arm with respect to the primary endpoint, it was likely attributable to the 212/800 (26.5%) patients with baseline organisms non-susceptible to levofloxacin. Among patients infected with a levofloxacin-susceptible organism at baseline, the response rates were similar (table below).

Composite microbiological and clinical cure rates in a Phase 3 trial of complicated urinary tract infections in adult patients

  • a ZERBAXA 1.5 g intravenously every 8 hours
  • b 750 mg intravenously once daily
  • c The 95% confidence interval was based on the stratified Newcombe method.

Composite microbiological and clinical cure rates in a Phase 3 trial of complicated urinary tract infections, in subgroups defined by baseline pathogen (mMITT population)

Pathogen
ZERBAXA n/N (%) Levofloxacinn/N (%)
Escherichia coli 247/305 (81) 228/324 (70.4)
Klebsiella pneumoniae 22/33 (66.7) 12/25 (48)
Proteus mirabilis 11/12 (91.7) 6/12 (50)
Pseudomonas aeruginosa 6/8 (75) 7/15 (46.7)

In a subset of the E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates from both arms of the cUTI Phase 3 trial that met pre-specified criteria for beta-lactam susceptibility, genotypic testing identified certain ESBL groups (e.g., TEM, SHV, CTX-M, OXA) in 104/687 (15%). Cure rates in this subset were similar to the overall trial results. In vitro susceptibility testing showed that some of these isolates were susceptible to ZERBAXA (MIC ≤2 mcg/mL), while some others were not susceptible (MIC >2 mcg/mL). Isolates of a specific genotype were seen in patients who were deemed to be either successes or failures.

Complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) in pediatric patients, including pyelonephritis

The cUTI pediatric trial was a randomized, double-blind multi-center, active controlled trial conducted in hospitalized patients from birth to less than 18 years (NCT03230838). Eligible patients were randomized in a 3:1 ratio to IV ZERBAXA or meropenem, respectively. Patients received IV study treatment for a minimum of 3 days before an optional switch to oral step-down therapy at the discretion of the investigator to complete a total of 7 to 14 days of antibacterial therapy.

The microbiologic modified intent-to-treat (mMITT) population consisted of 95 patients (N=71 in the ZERBAXA group; N=24 in the meropenem group) who were randomized and received at least one dose of study treatment and had an eligible uropathogen isolated from a baseline urine culture.

The median age of patients was 2.7 years and 1.6 years in the ZERBAXA and meropenem groups, respectively. In the ZERBAXA group, enrollment by age group was as follows: 12 to <18 y: n=10, 6 to <12 y: n=13, 2 to <6 y: n=14, 3 months to <2 y: n=20, birth to <3 months: n=14. Patients treated with ZERBAXA were predominantly female (56%) and White (99%). Patients treated with meropenem were predominantly female (63%) and White (100%). Most patients in the mMITT population had a diagnosis of pyelonephritis (ZERBAXA: 84.5%; meropenem: 79.2%). The most common baseline qualifying gram-negative uropathogens were Escherichia coli (ZERBAXA: 74.6%; meropenem: 87.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (8.5%; 4.2%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7.0%; 8.3%).

The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of ZERBAXA. Efficacy assessments were not powered for formal hypothesis testing of between treatment group comparisons. At the TOC visit, which occurred 7 to 14 days after the last dose of study drug, a favorable clinical response was defined as complete resolution or marked improvement in signs and symptoms of the cUTI or return to pre-infection signs and symptoms, such that no further antibiotic therapy (IV or oral) was required for the treatment of the cUTI. A favorable microbiological response at the TOC was defined as eradication (all uropathogens found at baseline at ≥105 were reduced to <104 CFU/mL) of baseline uropathogens from the urine culture. A summary of clinical and microbiologic response rates in the mMITT population at the TOC visit is presented in the table below.

Clinical and microbiological response rates in a pediatric study of complicated urinary tract infections

mMITT population
ZERBAXA n/N (%) Meropenem n/N (%) Treatment difference (95% CI)d
Clinical Response Rate 63/71 (88.7) 23/24 (95.8) -7.3 (-18.0, 10.1)
Microbiologic Response Rate 60/71 (84.5) 21/24 (87.5) -3.0 (-17.1, 17.4)
  • dThe Miettinen & Nurminen method stratified by age group with Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel weights was used.

Indications and Usage

ZERBAXA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients (18 years and older) with hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP), caused by the following susceptible Gram-negative microorganisms: Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia marcescens.

ZERBAXA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients (birth to less than 18 years old) with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis, caused by the following susceptible Gram-negative microorganisms: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

ZERBAXA used in combination with metronidazole is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients (birth to less than 18 years old) with complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) caused by the following susceptible 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.

Usage

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of ZERBAXA and other antibacterial drugs, ZERBAXA should be used only to treat or prevent 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.

Important Safety Information for ZERBAXA® (ceftolozane and tazobactam)

  • Patients with renal impairment: Decreased efficacy of ZERBAXA has been observed in patients with baseline CrCl of 30 to ≤50 mL/min. In a clinical trial of adult patients, patients with cIAIs with CrCl >50 mL/min had a clinical cure rate of 85.2% when treated with ZERBAXA plus metronidazole vs 87.9% when treated with meropenem. In the same trial, patients with CrCl 30 to ≤50 mL/min had a clinical cure rate of 47.8% when treated with ZERBAXA plus metronidazole vs 69.2% when treated with meropenem. A similar trend was also seen in the cUTI trial. Dose adjustment is required for adult patients with CrCl 50 mL/min or less. All doses of ZERBAXA are administered over 1 hour. Monitor CrCl at least daily in patients with changing renal function and adjust the dose of ZERBAXA accordingly.
  • Hypersensitivity: ZERBAXA is contraindicated in patients with known serious hypersensitivity to the components of ZERBAXA (ceftolozane/ tazobactam), piperacillin/tazobactam, or other members of the beta-lactam class. Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions have been reported in patients receiving beta-lactam antibacterials. Before initiating therapy with ZERBAXA, make careful inquiry about previous hypersensitivity reactions to cephalosporins, penicillins, or other beta-lactams. If an anaphylactic reaction to ZERBAXA occurs, discontinue use and institute appropriate therapy.
  • Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD), ranging from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis, has been reported with nearly all systemic antibacterial agents, including ZERBAXA. Careful medical history is necessary because CDAD has been reported to occur more than 2 months after the administration of antibacterial agents. If CDAD is confirmed, antibacterial use not directed against C. difficile should be discontinued, if possible.
  • Development of drug-resistant bacteria: Prescribing ZERBAXA in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or a prophylactic indication is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and risks the development of drug-resistant bacteria.
  • Adverse reactions in adult patients with HABP/VABP: The most common adverse reactions occurring in ≥5% of adult patients receiving ZERBAXA in the HABP/VABP trial were hepatic transaminase increased (11.9%), renal impairment/renal failure (8.9%), and diarrhea (6.4%).
  • Adverse reactions in adult patients with cIAI or cUTI: The most common adverse reactions occurring in ≥5% of adult patients receiving ZERBAXA in the cUTI and cIAI trials were headache (5.8%) in the cUTI trial, and nausea (7.9%), diarrhea (6.2%), and pyrexia (5.6%) in the cIAI trial.
  • Adverse reactions in pediatric patients with cIAI or cUTI: The most common adverse reactions occurring in ≥7% of pediatric patients receiving ZERBAXA in the cIAI trial were diarrhea (17%), thrombocytosis (16%), pyrexia (13%), abdominal pain (11%), vomiting (10%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (7%), and anemia (7%). The most common adverse reactions occurring in ≥7% of pediatric patients receiving ZERBAXA in the cUTI trial were thrombocytosis (9%), leukopenia (8%), diarrhea (7%), and pyrexia (7%).
  • Pediatric Use: There is insufficient information to recommend dosage adjustment for pediatric patients younger than 18 years of age with cIAI and cUTI with eGFR 50 mL/min/1.73m2 or less. ZERBAXA is not recommended in pediatric patients who have an eGFR 50 mL/min/1.73m2 or less. Pediatric patients born at term or pre-term may not have an eGFR of 50 mL/min/1.73m2 or greater at birth or within the first few months of life.

Before prescribing ZERBAXA, please read the accompanying Prescribing Information.

US-ZER-0162606/23