Biapenem

Abstract

▴ Biapenem is a new parenteral carbapenem antibacterial agent with a broad spectrum of in vitro antibacterial activity encompassing many Gramnegative and Gram-positive aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, including species producing β-lactamases. ▴ Biapenem is more stable than imipenem, mero-penem and panipenem to hydrolysis by human renal dihydropeptidase-I (DHP-I), and therefore does not require the coadministration of a DHP-I inhibitor. ▴ After intravenous administration, biapenem is widely distributed and penetrates well into various tissues (e.g. lung tissue) and body fluids (e.g. sputum, pleural effusion, abdominal cavity fluid). ▴ In randomised, nonblind or double-blind clinical trials, biapenem showed good clinical and bacteriological efficacy (similar to that of imipenem/ cilastatin) in the treatment of adult patients with intra-abdominal infections, lower respiratory infections or complicated urinary tract infections. ▴ Biapenem is generally well tolerated. The most common adverse events in clinical trials were skin eruptions/rashes, nausea and diarrhoea.