FDA Approves New Antifungal Drug Cresemba
- FLASCO
- March 16, 2015
- Drugs
FDA Approves New Antifungal Drug Cresemba
The FDA has approved Cresemba (isavuconazonium sulfate), a new antifungal drug product used to treat adults with invasive aspergillosis and invasive mucormycosis, rare but serious infections. Cresemba is marketed by Astellas Pharma US, Inc., based in Northbrook, Illinois.
Aspergillosis is a fungal infection caused by Aspergillus species, and mucormycosis is caused by the Mucorales fungi. These infections occur most often in people with weakened immune systems. Cresemba belongs to a class of drugs called azole antifungal agents, which target the cell wall of a fungus. Cresemba is available in oral and intravenous formulations.
Cresemba is the sixth approved antibacterial or antifungal drug product designated as a Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP). This designation is given to antibacterial or antifungal drug products that treat serious or life-threatening infections under the Generating Antibiotic Incentives Now (GAIN) title of the FDA Safety and Innovation Act.
As part of its QIDP designation, Cresemba was given priority review, which provides an expedited review of the drug’s application. The QIDP designation also qualifies Cresemba for an additional five years of marketing exclusivity to be added to certain exclusivity periods already provided by the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. As these types of fungal infections are rare, the FDA also granted Cresemba orphan drug designations for invasive aspergillosis and invasive mucormycosis.
The recommended loading dose of cresemba is one reconstituted vial or two capsules (372 mg isavuconazonium sulfate equivalent to 200 mg of isavuconazole) every eight hours for six doses (48 hours) via oral or intravenous administration. The recommended maintenance dose is one reconstituted vial or two capsules (372 mg isavuconazonium sulfate equivalent to 200 mg of isavuconazole) once per day via oral or intravenous administration, starting 12 to 24 hours after the last loading dose. Capsules can be taken with or without food. cresemba for injection must be administered through an in-line filter over a minimum of one hour.
