The PNEUMONIA Times
New Macrolide Passes Phase III Pneumonia Test: Solithromycin structure may thwart microbial resistance
A new oral macrolide antibiotic has shown non-inferiority to fluoroquinolone in a large phase III trial involving patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP).
Patients treated with solithromycin had an early clinical reaction rate of 78.2% opposed to 77.9% for patients treated with moxifloxacin. The data showed non-inferiority across the spectrum of a subgroup analysis that included different levels of CAP severity, ages, and history of comorbid pulmonary disease.
Results obtained from solithromycin suggests that there can be one more option for treating CAP. Additional research is needed to be done to determine whether solithromycin does in fact ward off microbial resistance more effectively than current available antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia.
Solithromycin is a fourth-generation macrolide/first-in-class fluoroketolide antibiotic that has a molecular structure made to afford greater protection against microbial resistance. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae and extended-spectrum activity against community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci, Haemophilus, enterococci, and Mycobacterium avium.
References: http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/CHEST/54337