Sulbactam/Durlobactam: First Approval

Drugs. 2023 Sep;83(13):1245-1252. doi: 10.1007/s40265-023-01920-6.

Abstract

Sulbactam/durlobactam (XACDURO®), is a co-packaged antibacterial product that has been developed by Entasis Therapeutics Inc. for the treatment of infections caused by Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus complex (ABC). Coadministration of durlobactam (a β-lactamase inhibitor with potent activity against a broad range of serine β-lactamases) with sulbactam (an established class A β-lactamase inhibitor with antibacterial activity against A. baumannii) prevents sulbactam degradation by ABC-produced β-lactamases. In May 2023, sulbactam/durlobactam was approved in the USA for use in patients 18 years of age and older for the treatment of hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP) caused by susceptible isolates of ABC. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of sulbactam/durlobactam leading to this first approval for the treatment of infections caused by ABC.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acinetobacter baumannii* / metabolism
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial* / drug therapy
  • Sulbactam / metabolism
  • Sulbactam / pharmacology
  • Sulbactam / therapeutic use
  • beta-Lactamase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • beta-Lactamase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • beta-Lactamases / metabolism

Substances

  • Sulbactam
  • beta-Lactamase Inhibitors
  • durlobactam
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • beta-Lactamases