WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics, Inc., a subsidiary of Innoviva, Inc. (NASDAQ: INVA), today announced the publication of positive results from a pivotal Phase 3 trial evaluating its investigational single-dose, oral antibiotic zoliflodacin for the treatment of uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhea in The Lancet. The trial was sponsored and led by the Company's not-for-profit partner, the Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership (GARDP). "Gonorrhea c. ...

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]

Core Viewpoint - Acurx Pharmaceuticals is advancing its lead antibiotic candidate, ibezapolstat, to pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), with promising results from previous trials indicating high efficacy and safety [2][11][15]. Group 1: Company Overview - Acurx Pharmaceuticals is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a new class of small molecule antibiotics targeting difficult-to-treat bacterial infections, particularly those caused by Gram-positive bacteria [23]. - The company's lead product candidate, ibezapolstat, is a DNA polymerase IIIC inhibitor designed to treat CDI and has received FDA QIDP and Fast-Track designations [2][19]. - Acurx's research and development pipeline includes antibiotic candidates targeting various multi-drug resistant bacteria, including MRSA and VRE [23]. Group 2: Clinical Trial Progress - Ibezapolstat is ready to advance to international pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials, following positive outcomes from Phase 2 trials, which demonstrated a Clinical Cure rate of 96% [2][15][16]. - The Phase 2 clinical trial included a multicenter, open-label segment and a double-blind, randomized segment, with a total of 42 patients treated for CDI [13][14]. - The Phase 2b trial showed that ibezapolstat-treated patients had a higher sustained clinical cure rate compared to those treated with vancomycin, indicating its potential superiority [16][17]. Group 3: Scientific Collaboration and Research - Acurx's research is conducted in collaboration with Leiden University Medical Center, focusing on the structural biology of DNA pol IIIC and its inhibitors, which has implications for developing new antibiotics [1][4][10]. - The unique conformation of ibezapolstat and its analogues suggests a conserved mechanism of action across Gram-positive bacteria, enhancing the understanding of its selectivity and efficacy [3][4]. - Ongoing research aims to elucidate the structure of pol IIIC from multidrug-resistant organisms, which will guide the rational design of new inhibitors [6][7]. Group 4: Market Need and Impact - CDI is a significant healthcare issue, with estimates of 500,000 infections annually in the U.S. and a mortality rate of approximately 9.3%, highlighting the urgent need for new treatment options [20]. - The CDC has classified CDI as an urgent threat, underscoring the importance of developing effective antibiotics like ibezapolstat to combat antimicrobial resistance [19][20]. - Ibezapolstat's mechanism of maintaining a healthy gut microbiome while treating CDI may reduce the likelihood of recurrence, addressing a critical gap in current treatment options [17][22].