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Avir Pharma announces distribution agreement with Basilea Pharmaceutica for Cresemba® (isavuconazole) and Zevtera® (ceftobiprole) in Canada

Wednesday, June 14, 2017 Drug News
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BLAINVILLE, QC, June 14, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Avir Pharma Inc. (Avir), an affiliate of the Laboratoire RIVA Group, announced today that it has entered into a Canadian distribution and license agreement with Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. (SIX: BSLN) for its antifungal Cresemba® (isavuconazole) and antibiotic Zevtera® (ceftobiprole).
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Under the terms of the agreement, Avir is granted an exclusive license to commercialize isavuconazole and ceftobiprole in the Canadian market. Basilea will receive an upfront payment and is eligible to receive milestone payments upon achievement of regulatory and commercial milestones. Avir plans to apply for a marketing authorization for isavuconazole in Canada. Zevtera is already approved by Health Canada for the treatment of adult patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), excluding ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), and for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Avir will be purchasing product from Basilea and be responsible for commercialization in Canada.
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"We are extremely proud to be partnering with Basilea to bring Cresemba and Zevtera to Canadian patients. This partnership is a strong testament to Avir's mission to become the Canadian partner of choice for specialty pharmaceutical products," said Olivier St-Denis, President, Avir Pharma.

"We look forward to the introduction of isavuconazole and ceftobiprole to address significant medical needs of patients who are suffering from severe antimicrobial infections," stated Dr George G. Zhanel, Professor, Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba and Director of the Canadian Antimicrobial Resistance Alliance. "Antibiotic-resistant infections have been and remain a growing concern for Canadians and there is a constant need for new therapies to help us prevent and treat infectious diseases."

About isavuconazoleIsavuconazole is an intravenous (i.v.) and oral azole antifungal and the active agent of the prodrug isavuconazonium sulfate. It is approved in the United States for patients 18 years of age and older in the treatment of invasive aspergillosis and invasive mucormycosis.1 In Europe, isavuconazole received marketing authorization for the treatment of adult patients with invasive aspergillosis and for the treatment of adult patients with mucormycosis for whom amphotericin B is inappropriate.2 Isavuconazole has orphan drug designation for the approved indications in Europe and the US. Basilea commercializes isavuconazole as Cresemba® in Germany, Italy, the UK and Austria and is seeking national pricing and reimbursement in additional EU countries. In the US, the drug is commercialized by Basilea's license partner Astellas Pharma US. Outside the US and the EU, isavuconazole is currently not approved for commercial use.

About invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosisInvasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis are life-threatening mold infections that predominantly affect immunocompromised patients, such as patients with cancer. Invasive aspergillosis is known for high morbidity and mortality. Mucormycosis (also known as zygomycosis) is a rapidly progressing and life-threatening invasive fungal infection, known for high morbidity and mortality.

About ceftobiproleCeftobiprole is a cephalosporin antibiotic for intravenous administration with rapid bactericidal activity against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including methicillin-susceptible and resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA, MRSA) and susceptible Pseudomonas spp. The drug is approved for sale in 13 European countries (European trade name Zevtera® or Mabelio®, depending on the country) and several non-European countries, including Canada, for the treatment of adult patients with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) and hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia (HABP), excluding ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (VABP).3 Basilea is currently marketing the drug in Germany, Italy, UK, France, Austria and Switzerland.

About hospital-acquired and community-acquired pneumoniaHospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is one of the most common hospital-acquired infections and has been shown to have among the highest mortality rates of all hospital-acquired infections.4 Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most frequent causes of hospital-acquired pneumonia.5 Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common condition with up to 60% of the patients requiring hospital admission and intravenous antibiotics.6 Prompt empiric intervention with an appropriate broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment is considered a best medical practice. The increasing incidence of bacteria resistant to many established antibiotics is a major concern.

About Avir Pharma Inc.Avir Pharma Inc. is a wholly-owned, privately-held Canadian pharmaceutical company whose mission is to enhance the lives of Canadians through the acquisition, in-licensing and co-development of innovative, specialty pharmaceutical products. Located in Blainville, Quebec, Avir Pharma Inc. is an affiliate of the Laboratoire Riva Group, an established company with over 40 years of experience in manufacturing, distributing and promoting pharmaceutical products in the Canadian marketplace. For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.avirpharma.com.  

About BasileaBasilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is a biopharmaceutical company developing products that address the medical challenge of increasing resistance and non-response to current treatment options in the therapeutic areas of bacterial infections, fungal infections and cancer. The company uses the integrated research, development and commercial operations of its subsidiary Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd. to discover, develop and commercialize innovative pharmaceutical products to meet the medical needs of patients with serious and life-threatening conditions. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: BSLN). Additional information can be found at Basilea's website www.basilea.com.

References

  1. Cresemba® US prescribing information [Accessed: June 12, 2017]
  2. European Public Assessment Report (EPAR) Cresemba®: http://www.ema.europa.eu[Accessed: June 12, 2017]
  3. UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) Zevtera®: http://www.mhra.gov.uk/ [Accessed: June 12, 2017]
  4. C. Rotstein et al. Clinical practice guidelines for hospital-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia in adults. Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases & Medical Microbiology 2008 (19), 19-53
  5. R. N. Jones. Microbial etiologies of hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2010 (51), S81-S87
  6. W. I. Sligl et al. Severe community-acquired pneumonia. Critical Care Clinics 2013 (29), 563-601
 

SOURCE Avir Pharma

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