Researchers from Astellas, a Northbrook, Illinois-based pharmaceutical company, have completed Phase 3 testing (SECURE) on Cresemba (isavuconazonium sulfate), a therapy indicated for the treatment of adult patients living with invasive aspergillosis.
The disease is caused by aspergillus and other filamentous fungi that can lead to coughing up blood, chest pain, severe and possibly fatal bleeding, fever and difficulty breathing.
Left untreated, aspergillosis can get into the bloodstream and cause organ damage, leading to shock, delirium, seizures and blood clots.
Aspergillosis can also effect the ear canal and sinuses.
"It is important for physicians to have alternative treatment options," Andrew Ullmann, professor of infectious diseases at Julius-Maximilians-University, Germany, said. "SECURE is the first randomized, global trial to support the use of Cresemba for the primary treatment of adult patients with invasive aspergillosis."
Invasive aspergillosis occurs most often in patients with diseases that compromise their immune systems, such as leukemia.
"Cresemba helps to fulfill an important medical need, which underscores Astellas' long-standing commitment to improving patient care," Dr. Bernie Zeiher, president of development at Astellas, said.
