Invasive fungal infections

Invasive fungal diseases are an increasing global health issue due to the growing number of immunosuppressed patients who are at a higher risk of these infections. Isavuconazole was developed in response to this urgent medical need. Worldwide, more than 1.5 million deaths each year are attributed to invasive fungal infections.

Invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis

Invasive mold infections are mainly caused by airborne Aspergillus species, however, Mucormycetes, found for example in soil or rotting wood, have emerged as the second most frequent group of molds causing invasive infections. Over 50% of patients with mucormycosis die from this infection, so its mortality rate is particularly high. Today there are only limited available treatment options for invasive mold infections.

Bacterial infections

Due to the high morbidity and mortality associated with infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria, the discovery of innovative agents with potent activity against these pathogens is top priority of our anti-infectives research team. Our quest is to find therapies with new mechanisms of action, and we will only pursue truly innovative projects that have the potential to make a difference to patients’ lives.

According to recent estimates, there are more than 2.5 million healthcare-associated infections each year leading to more than 91,000 deaths in the European Union alone. More than half of these deaths have been attributed to hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and to hospital-acquired bloodstream infections (bacteremia).

One important bacterial pathogen is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Patients with MRSA infections are more than twice as likely to die from this infection as patients with the methicillin-susceptible form of the infection, MSSA. MRSA rates in the US have been reported in the range of 50%. In comparison, a median MRSA rate of 17% has been reported for Europe (EU/EEA) in 2017, with significantly higher MRSA rates of up to about 45% in Southern European countries.

Pneumonia

Bacterial pneumonia is a common infection and is generally classified according to the location of the patient when the infection is contracted, since this has a major bearing on the likely type of pathogen causing the disease, the treatment, and the patient’s prognosis. Frequent types are community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CAP or CABP) and hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia (HAP or HABP).

Hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia 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. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most frequent causes of hospital-acquired pneumonia. Community-acquired bacterial pneumonia is a common condition with up to 60% of the patients requiring hospital admission and intravenous antibiotics. 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.

Acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections 

Acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) are among the most common bacterial infections encountered in both community and hospital settings. Skin infections caused by resistant bacteria such as MRSA have become a challenging medical problem associated with extended hospitalization, high costs and increased mortality.

Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia

Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) is associated with significant morbidity and reported mortality rates of about 20%. It can result in infective endocarditis, an inflammation of the heart, which is associated with poor patient outcomes. Only few antibiotics that cover both MSSA and MRSA are approved for the treatment of SAB. Hence, there is an urgent need for new effective antibiotics in this indication.