Cidara Therapeutics, Inc. and Melinta Therapeutics, LLC announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved REZZAYO™ (rezafungin for injection) for the treatment of candidemia and invasive candidiasis in adults with limited or no alternative treatment options. REZZAYO is the first new treatment option approved for patients with candidemia and invasive candidiasis in over a decade. The FDA approval of once-weekly REZZAYO was based on clinical data from Cidara's global ReSTORE Phase 3 trial and supported by the STRIVE Phase 2 clinical trial and extensive non-clinical development program.

In clinical studies, REZZAYO, dosed once-weekly, met the FDA and EMA primary endpoints, demonstrating statistical non-inferiority versus caspofungin, a current once-daily standard of care. In addition, overall rates of adverse events and serious adverse events were comparable in patients receiving REZZAYO and caspofungin, while rates of adverse events leading to study drug discontinuation were also similar for REZZAYO and caspofungin. Based on Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) designation, REZZAYO was approved under Priority Review.

Last year, Melinta announced that it had acquired the exclusive rights to commercialize REZZAYO in the U.S. from Cidara. Cidara retains the rights to rezafungin in Japan and has licensed the commercial rights to Melinta Therapeutics in the U.S. and Mundipharma in all other geographies. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) accepted the marketing authorization application (MAA) for rezafungin in August 2022 and it is currently under review.

REZZAYO™ (rezafungin for injection): REZZAYO (rezafungin for injection) is a novel once-weekly echinocandin approved in the United States for the treatment of candidemia and invasive candidiasis in adults. REZZAYO is currently being studied for the prevention of invasive fungal diseases in adults undergoing allogeneic blood and marrow transplantation. The structure and properties of REZZAYO are specifically designed to improve upon a clinically validated mechanism.

Indications And Use: REZZAYO is an echinocandin antifungal indicated in patients 18 years of age or older who have limited or no alternative options for the treatment of candidemia and invasive candidiasis. Approval of this indication is based on limited clinical safety and efficacy data. REZZAYO has not been studied in patients with endocarditis, osteomyelitis, and meningitis due to Candida.

Important Safety Information: REZZAYO is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to rezafungin or other echinocandins. REZZAYOmay cause infusion-related reactions, including flushing, sensation of warmth, urticaria, nausea, or chest tightness. If these reactions occur, slow or pause the infusion.

REZZAYO may cause photosensitivity. Advise patients to use protection from sun exposure and other sources of UV radiation. Abnormalities in liver tests have been seen in clinical trial patients treated with REZZAYO.

Monitor patients who develop abnormal liver tests and evaluate patients for their risk/benefit of continuing REZZAYO therapy. Most common adverse reactions (incidence = 5%) are hypokalemia, pyrexia, diarrhea, anemia, vomiting, nausea, hypomagnesemia, abdominal pain, constipation, and hypophosphatemia.