Basilea announces commercial availability of antibiotic Zevtera® (ceftobiprole) in the United States

Core Insights - Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd has announced the commercial availability of its antibiotic Zevtera in the United States through its partner Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics, marking a significant milestone for the brand [1][2] - Zevtera is the first MRSA-active antibiotic approved for Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in the US in over a decade, addressing a high medical need for treatments targeting Staphylococcus aureus infections [2][3] - The partnership with Innoviva includes a tiered royalty structure for Basilea, with potential sales milestones of up to USD 223 million [2][3] Company Overview - Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative drugs for severe bacterial and fungal infections [1][15] - The company has successfully launched two hospital brands, including Zevtera for bacterial infections and Cresemba for invasive fungal infections [15][16] - Basilea is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange [16] Product Details - Zevtera (ceftobiprole medocaril) is an advanced-generation cephalosporin antibiotic indicated for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections, and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia [1][3] - The drug has rapid bactericidal activity against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including methicillin-resistant strains [3][12] - In the US, Zevtera is approved for use in both adult and pediatric patients aged 3 months to less than 18 years [1][3] Market Context - The introduction of Zevtera addresses the growing concern of drug-resistant pathogens, particularly in hospital settings [2][3] - Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia is associated with a 30-day all-cause mortality rate of around 20%, highlighting the urgent need for improved therapies [11] - Acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections are common in healthcare settings, with Staphylococcus aureus being the most prevalent pathogen [12]