Meropenem–vaborbactam: a new weapon in the war against infections due to resistant Gram-negative bacteria

Abstract

Meropenem–vaborbactam is a fixed-dose combination product of a carbapenem and a cyclic boronic acid β-lactamase inhibitor with potent in vitro activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). The efficacy of meropenem–vaborbactam for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections and acute pyelonephritis was demonstrated in a Phase III trial (TANGO I). Preliminary data from TANGO II, a separate Phase III study, support the efficacy of meropenem–vaborbactam for the treatment of infections caused by CRE. Overall, meropenem–vaborbactam appears to be safe and well tolerated. It has favorable toxicity, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles compared with other antibiotics with activity against CRE. Meropenem–vaborbactam is an important addition to the current armamentarium of antimicrobial agents with activity against K. pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing CRE.