Shionogi to Present New Data on FETROJA® (Cefiderocol) at IDWeek 2020

OSAKA, Japan and FLORHAM PARK, N.J., October 19, 2020 – Shionogi & Co., Ltd. (hereafter “Shionogi”) today announces that 18 abstracts on FETROJA® (cefiderocol), including two oral presentations, will be shared at IDWeek™. The meeting will be held virtually from October 21-25. 

“These data reinforce our commitment to fighting antimicrobial resistance and further highlights the potential of FETROJA against life-threatening Gram-negative pathogens,” said Akira Kato, Ph.D., president and CEO at Shionogi Inc. “We look forward to participating in the virtual event and sharing the latest research with the infectious disease community.”

Presentations will include data from company-sponsored or investigator-initiated investigational studies. The virtual presentations will be available on demand for IDWeek registrants beginning October 21 and the details are as follows:

In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Cefiderocol Against Non-fermenter Clinical Strains Collected in North America and Europe from Multinational Surveillance Studies SIDERO-WT-2014-2018

Presenter: Yuuta Ukai

Cefiderocol Treatment for Serious Infections Caused by Carbapenem-Resistant Bacteria: Post-Hoc Analysis of Outcomes by Pathogen in the CREDIBLE-CR Study

Presenter: Roger Echols

The following ePoster presentations will be available online beginning October 21:

Characteristics and Utilization Patterns of Colistin Compared with Newer Agents in Gram-Negative Infections

Presenter: Stephen Marcella

Impact of Active Treatment of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Infections in US Hospitals Between 2014 and 2019

Presenter: Bin Cai

Trends of Carbapenem Resistance in Enterobacterales in the US Between 2015 and 2019

Presenter: Stephen Marcella

In Vitro Activity of Cefiderocol Against Metallo β-lactamase-Producing Gram-Negative Bacteria in North America and Europe Between 2014 and 2017: SIDERO-WT-2014 to -2016 Studies

Presenter: Miki Takemura

Characterization of Shifts in Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations During Treatment with Cefiderocol or Comparators in the Phase 3 CREDIBLE-CR and APEKS-NP Studies

Presenter: Miki Takemura

Differences in Interpretative Breakpoints Between CLSI, FDA and EUCAST Impact Reporting of Susceptibility and Resistance to Cefiderocol

Presenter: Yoshinori Yamano

Efficacy and Safety of Cefiderocol and Best Available Therapy in Patients with Serious Infections Caused by Cabapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Infections: Results of the Pathogen-Focused Phase 3 CREDIBLE-CR Study

Presenter: Matteo Bassetti

Outcome of Patients with Gram-Negative Bacteremia from Phase 2 and Phase 3 Clinical Trials of Cefiderocol, a New Siderophore Cephalosporin

Presenter: David Paterson

Safety Profile of the Novel Siderophore Cephalosporin Cefiderocol in Randomized Phase 2 and Phase 3 Clinical Studies of Serious Gram-Negative Infections

Presenter: Yuko Matsunaga

Cefiderocol Population Pharmacokinetics and Probability of Target Attainment in Plasma and Epithelial Lining Fluid in Patients with Pneumonia, Bloodstream Infection/Sepsis, or Complicated Urinary Tract Infections

Presenter: Takayuki Katsube

Intrapulmonary Pharmacokinetics of Cefiderocol in Hospitalized and Ventilated Patients Receiving Standard of Care Antibiotics for Bacterial Pneumonia

Presenter: Takayuki Katsube

Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Analyses of Cefiderocol in Critically Ill Patients

Presenter: Takayuki Katsube

Molecular Profile of β-Lactamase Genes and Siderophore-Dependent Iron Transporter Genes of Cefiderocol High MIC Isolates from SIDERO-WT Studies

Presenter: Yoshinori Yamano

Potential Mechanisms of Cefiderocol MIC Increase in Enterobacterales in In Vitro Resistance Acquisition Studies

Presenter: Yoshinori Yamano

Treatments for complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI) caused by multidrug resistant (MDR) Gram-negative (GN) pathogens-a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA)

Presenter: Sara Lopes

Synergistic Effect of Cefiderocol with Other Antibiotics Against PER-Producing Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates from the Multinational SIDERO-WT Studies

Presenter: Yoshinori Yamano

FETROJA® (cefiderocol) is a cephalosporin antibiotic with a novel mechanism for penetrating the outer cell membrane of Gram-negative pathogens by acting as a siderophore. In addition to entering cells by passive diffusion through porin channels, FETROJA binds to ferric iron and is actively transported into bacterial cells through the outer membrane via the bacterial iron transporters, which function to incorporate this essential nutrient for bacteria. These mechanisms allow FETROJA to achieve high concentrations in the periplasmic space where it can bind to penicillin-binding proteins and inhibit cell wall synthesis in the bacterial cells. FETROJA has also demonstrated in vitro activity against certain bacteria that contain very problematic resistant enzymes such as ESBLs, AmpC, serine- and metallo-carbapenemases. Data from multinational surveillance studies for FETROJA demonstrated potent in vitro activity against a wide spectrum of Gram-negative pathogens including carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa, Enterobacterales, and S. maltophilia. The clinical significance of the in vitro data is unknown. FETROJA has poor in vitro activity against Gram-positive or anaerobic bacteria.

Cefiderocol, under the brand name FETCROJA®, is approved by the European Commission for the treatment of infections due to aerobic Gram-negative bacteria in adults 18 years or older with limited treatment options.

FETROJA (cefiderocol) is indicated in patients 18 years of age or older for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs), including pyelonephritis caused by the following susceptible Gram-negative microorganisms: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter cloacae complex.

FETROJA is indicated in patients 18 years of age or older for the treatment of hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia, caused by the following susceptible Gram-negative microorganisms: Acinetobacter baumannii complex, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae complex, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia marcescens. 

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of FETROJA and other antibacterial drugs, FETROJA should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria.

FETROJA is contraindicated in patients with a known history of severe hypersensitivity to cefiderocol or other beta-lactam antibacterial drugs, or any other component of FETROJA.

An increase in all-cause mortality was observed in patients treated with FETROJA as compared to best available therapy (BAT) in a multinational, randomized, open-label trial in critically ill patients with carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections (NCT02714595). Patients with nosocomial pneumonia, bloodstream infections, sepsis, or cUTI were included in the trial. BAT regimens varied according to local practices and consisted of 1 to 3 antibacterial drugs with activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Most of the BAT regimens contained colistin. 

The increase in all-cause mortality occurred in patients treated for nosocomial pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or sepsis. The 28-Day all-cause mortality was higher in patients treated with FETROJA than in patients treated with BAT [25/101 (24.8%) vs. 9/49 (18.4%), treatment difference 6.4%, 95% CI (-8.6, 19.2)]. All-cause mortality remained higher in patients treated with FETROJA than in patients treated with BAT through Day 49 [34/101 (33.7%) vs. 10/49 (20.4%), treatment difference 13.3%, 95% CI (-2.5, 26.9)]. Generally, deaths were in patients with infections caused by Gram-negative organisms, including non-fermenters such as Acinetobacter baumannii complex, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and were the result of worsening or complications of infection, or underlying comorbidities. The cause of the increase in mortality has not been established. 

Closely monitor the clinical response to therapy in patients with cUTI and HABP/VABP.

Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions and serious skin reactions have been reported in patients receiving beta-lactam antibacterial drugs. Hypersensitivity was observed in FETROJA-treated patients in clinical trials. These reactions are more likely to occur in individuals with a history of beta-lactam hypersensitivity and/or a history of sensitivity to multiple allergens. There have been reports of individuals with a history of penicillin hypersensitivity who have experienced severe reactions when treated with cephalosporins. 

Before therapy with FETROJA is instituted, inquire about previous hypersensitivity reactions to cephalosporins, penicillins, or other beta-lactam antibacterial drugs. Discontinue FETROJA if an allergic reaction occurs.

Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported for nearly all systemic antibacterial agents, including FETROJA. CDAD may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon and may permit overgrowth of C. difficile.

Careful medical history is necessary because CDAD has been reported to occur more than 2 months after the administration of antibacterial agents.

If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, antibacterial drugs not directed against C. difficile may need to be discontinued. Manage fluid and electrolyte levels as appropriate, supplement protein intake, monitor antibacterial treatment of C. difficile, and institute surgical evaluation as clinically indicated.

Cephalosporins, including FETROJA, have been implicated in triggering seizures. Nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE), encephalopathy, coma, asterixis, neuromuscular excitability, and myoclonia have been reported with cephalosporins particularly in patients with a history of epilepsy and/or when recommended dosages of cephalosporins were exceeded due to renal impairment. Adjust FETROJA dosing based on creatinine clearance. Anticonvulsant therapy should be continued in patients with known seizure disorders. If CNS adverse reactions including seizures occur, patients should undergo a neurological evaluation to determine whether FETROJA should be discontinued.

Prescribing FETROJA in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or a prophylactic indication is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of drug resistant bacteria.

The most common adverse reactions occurring in (≥2%) of patients receiving FETROJA compared to imipenem/cilastatin in the cUTI trial were: diarrhea (4% vs 6%), infusion site reactions (4% vs 5%), constipation (3% vs 4%), rash (3% vs <1%), candidiasis (2% vs 3%), cough (2% vs <1%), elevations in liver tests (2% vs <1%), headache (2% vs 5%), hypokalemia (2% vs 3%), nausea (2% vs 4%), and vomiting (2% vs 1%). The most common adverse reactions occurring in (≥4%) of patients receiving FETROJA compared to meropenem in the HABP/VABP trial were: elevations in liver tests (16% vs 16%), hypokalemia (11% vs 15%), diarrhea (9% vs 9%), hypomagnesemia (5% vs <1%), and atrial fibrillation (5% vs 3%).

Shionogi has a strong heritage in the field of anti-infectives and has been developing antimicrobial therapies for more than 60 years. Shionogi is proud to be one of the few large pharmaceutical companies that continues to focus on research and development in anti-infectives. The company invests the highest proportion of its pharmaceutical revenues in relevant anti-infectives R&D compared to other large pharmaceutical companies.¹

For more information please refer to: https://www.shionogi.com/global/en/sustainability/amr.html.

Shionogi & Co., Ltd. is a Japanese major research-driven pharmaceutical company dedicated to bringing benefits to patients based on its corporate philosophy of “supplying the best possible medicine to protect the health and wellbeing of the patients we serve.” The company currently markets products in several therapeutic areas including anti-infectives, pain, cardiovascular diseases, and gastroenterology. Our pipeline is focused on infectious disease, pain, CNS, and oncology. For more information on Shionogi & Co., Ltd., visit https://www.shionogi.com/global/en/. Shionogi Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Shionogi & Co., Ltd. based in N.J. For more information on Shionogi Inc., please visit www.shionogi.com. 

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on expectations in light of the information currently available, assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. Risks and uncertainties include general domestic and international economic conditions such as general industry and market conditions, and changes of interest rate and currency exchange rate. These risks and uncertainties particularly apply with respect to product-related forward-looking statements. Product risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, completion and discontinuation of clinical trials; obtaining regulatory approvals; claims and concerns about product safety and efficacy; technological advances; adverse outcome of important litigation; domestic and foreign healthcare reforms and changes of laws and regulations. Also, for existing products, there are manufacturing and marketing risks, which include, but are not limited to, inability to build production capacity to meet demand, unavailability of raw materials and entry of competitive products. The company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Shionogi & Co., Ltd. 
Corporate Communications 
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Shionogi Inc. U.S. Media Contact
Takashi Koide,
Associate Director, Corporate Development & Communications  
+1 973-524-5418
takashi.koide@shionogi.com