Sinovant Sciences, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company dedicated to conducting innovative biomedical R&D in China, and Nabriva Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the commercialization and development of innovative anti-infective agents to treat serious infections, today announced positive topline results from Sinovant's Phase 3 bridging study of lefamulin in Chinese adults with community acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP).

Sinovant's multi-center, randomized, double-blind trial was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravenous (IV) to oral lefamulin compared to IV/oral moxifloxacin in 125 subjects with CABP. Subjects were randomized 2:1 to lefamulin and moxifloxacin and stratified by prior antibiotic exposure, pneumonia severity index (PSI) risk class, and renal impairment. Study drugs were dosed in double-dummy double-blinded fashion (lefamulin: 150 mg IV every 12 hours, 600 mg oral every 12 hours; moxifloxacin: 400 mg IV once daily, 400 mg oral once daily).  

Lefamulin met the primary endpoint of non-inferiority vs. moxifloxacin for Investigator Assessment of Clinical Response at Test of Cure (IACR-TOC) in the modified intent to treat (mITT) population, with success rates of 76.8% (n = 63/82) for lefamulin and 71.4% (n = 30/42) for moxifloxacin. This finding was consistent across subgroups. On the key secondary endpoint of IACR-TOC in the clinically evaluable (CE) population, success rates were 86.0% (n = 49/57) and 86.2% (n = 25/29) in the lefamulin and moxifloxacin arms, respectively. These results are similar to those observed in the global Phase 3 LEAP 1 and LEAP 2 clinical trials conducted by Nabriva.

Consistent with previously reported clinical trial results, lefamulin was observed to be generally safe and well-tolerated, with an overall rate of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) comparable to that of moxifloxacin. The vast majority of TEAEs in both treatment arms were mild-to-moderate in severity, with serious adverse events (SAEs) occurring in 4% of lefamulin-treated patients and 10% of moxifloxacin-treated patients. TEAEs leading to discontinuation were uncommon and observed in just 5% of subjects in both treatment arms.

"We are delighted with the results of this trial," said Dr. Rae Yuan, CEO of Sinovant. "These data strongly support the use of lefamulin as an empiric monotherapy for CABP, a disease that affects millions of Chinese patients annually. We look forward to submitting an NDA to China's NMPA as soon as possible."

In addition, Sinovant has entered into an agreement with Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma, to acquire development and commercialization rights for lefamulin in Greater China. Under the terms of that agreement, Sinovant will assign its license agreement for lefamulin to Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals (Suzhou), the terms of which are otherwise unchanged. Closing of this transaction is subject to certain conditions and is expected to occur in the second calendar quarter of 2021.

"We are excited to accelerate the availability of lefamulin to Chinese patients upon approval," said Naoki Noguchi, Chairman and CEO of Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals (Suzhou). "These data demonstrate that lefamulin has the potential to be an important new treatment option for patients with CABP. Lefamulin is highly complementary to our existing anti-infective product portfolio in China and we expect it will contribute to our sustained growth in this market."

"We are eager to enter into the next phase of lefamulin's life cycle in China," said Steve Gelone, President and COO of Nabriva. "Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals (Suzhou)'s established commercial infrastructure, particularly in the anti-infectives segment, makes them an ideal partner for Nabriva as we continue to expand global access to lefamulin. We look forward to working with Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals (Suzhou) colleagues to bring this important new medicine to patients."

About Lefamulin

Lefamulin (marketed by Nabriva in the United States as XENLETA?) is a first-in-class, semi-synthetic pleuromutilin antibiotic for systemic administration in humans. It is designed to inhibit the synthesis of bacterial protein, which is required for bacteria to grow. Lefamulin's binding occurs with high affinity, high specificity and at molecular sites that are distinct from other antibiotic classes.

About Sinovant 

Sinovant is a Chinese biopharmaceutical company dedicated to conducting innovative biomedical R&D in China. Sinovant's mission is to develop and commercialize new medicines that address the most pressing public health challenges in China while simultaneously advancing Chinese biopharmaceutical research abroad.

About Nabriva Therapeutics plc

Nabriva Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the commercialization and development of innovative anti-infective agents to treat serious infections. Nabriva Therapeutics received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for XENLETA? (lefamulin injection, lefamulin tablets), the first systemic pleuromutilin antibiotic for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP). Nabriva Therapeutics is also developing CONTEPO? (fosfomycin) for injection, a potential first-in-class epoxide antibiotic for complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including acute pyelonephritis. Nabriva entered into an exclusive agreement with subsidiaries of Merck & Co. Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA to market, sell and distribute SIVEXTRO? (tedizolid phosphate) in the United States and certain of its territories.

About Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.

Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals (Suzhou) is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd. and was established in Suzhou, China in 2003. Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals (Suzhou) has 754 employees (as of March 31, 2021) and is focusing on the treatment of infectious disease area with mainstay MEPEM? (meropenem hydrate), a carbapenem antibiotic, originally created by Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma.