Acurx Announces Positive Opinion from EMA on Pediatric Investigation Plan for Ibezapolstat Use in Children with C. difficile Infection

Core Insights - Acurx Pharmaceuticals has received a favorable opinion from the Pediatric Committee of the EMA regarding its Pediatric Investigation Plan (PIP) for ibezapolstat, aimed at treating children with C. difficile infection (CDI) [1][5][6] - The incidence of CDI in children is rising, with approximately 20,000 cases reported annually in the U.S., and there is a significant unmet need for effective treatments [2][15] - Ibezapolstat is positioned to potentially transform CDI treatment in children by demonstrating safety and efficacy, while also preserving the gut microbiome [2][12][13] Company Overview - Acurx Pharmaceuticals is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a new class of small molecule antibiotics for difficult-to-treat bacterial infections [17][18] - The company's lead product candidate, ibezapolstat, is a Gram-Positive Selective Spectrum (GPSS®) antibacterial targeting C. difficile and is set to advance to international Phase 3 clinical trials [13][17] Clinical Development - The PIP approval is a prerequisite for Acurx to initiate Phase 3 clinical trials in the EU, which are designed to demonstrate non-inferiority to vancomycin, a standard treatment for CDI [5][6][7] - Previous Phase 2 trials showed a Clinical Cure rate of 96% for ibezapolstat, with 100% of patients remaining free of CDI recurrence after treatment [10][12] - The Phase 2 trials also indicated favorable changes in the gut microbiome, suggesting that ibezapolstat may reduce the likelihood of CDI recurrence compared to vancomycin [11][16] Regulatory Pathway - Acurx has received both FDA QIDP and Fast-Track Designation for ibezapolstat, which provides incentives for the development of new antibiotics [14][17] - The company is preparing to submit an integrated PIP to the FDA, aligning its clinical trial programs with both EMA and FDA requirements [5][6] Market Context - CDI is a significant healthcare concern, with estimates of nearly 600,000 infections annually in the U.S. and a mortality rate of approximately 9.3% [15] - The need for new antibiotics is underscored by the CDC's designation of C. difficile as an urgent threat, highlighting the importance of Acurx's development efforts [14][15]