Iterum Therapeutics has announced that its drug, sulopenem, has received FDA approval for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTIs). This approval marks a significant step forward in addressing the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance in common bacterial infections.
The approval is based on data from two Phase 3 clinical trials, SURE 1 and REASSURE. The SURE 1 trial compared a 5-day course of sulopenem to a 3-day course of ciprofloxacin. Results indicated that sulopenem was superior to ciprofloxacin (62.6% vs 36.0%) in patients with ciprofloxacin-resistant uUTIs. The REASSURE trial also demonstrated sulopenem's superior response (61.7% vs 55%) compared to amoxicillin/clavulanate.
Clinical Significance
Urinary tract infections are highly prevalent, with up to 60% of women expected to experience a uUTI in their lifetime. Symptoms include pain or burning during urination, frequent urination, and the persistent urge to urinate even with an empty bladder. The rise in antibiotic resistance among UTI-causing bacteria, such as E. coli and Klebsiella, has complicated treatment strategies. Sulopenem offers a new option when standard antibiotics fail.
Mechanism of Action
Sulopenem is a broad-spectrum β-lactam antibiotic formulated with probenecid. It functions by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis through binding to penicillin-binding proteins. Probenecid reduces the rate of sulopenem elimination from the body, thereby increasing systemic exposure to the antibiotic. This combination enhances the drug's effectiveness against a range of bacteria commonly responsible for UTIs.
Iterum Therapeutics
Founded in 2015 and based in Ireland, Iterum Therapeutics focuses on developing anti-infectives to combat multi-drug-resistant infections. Sulopenem is the company's first product, targeting both urinary tract infections and complicated intra-abdominal infections.
