FDA Approves Eraxis to Treat Candidemia

NEW YORK—Pfizer Inc's Eraxis (anidulafungin) has been approved by the FDA to treat candidemia, the most deadly of the common hospital-acquired bloodstream infections, with a mortality rate of approximately 40%, the company said in a news release. The agent, an antifungal medicine of the echinocandin class, was also approved to treat two additional Candida infections—peritonitis and intra-abdominal abscesses—as well as esophageal candidiasis.

"In the clinical trial setting, patients taking Eraxis for the treatment of candidemia had improved efficacy vs those taking fluconazole," said lead clinical investigator Annette Reboli, MD, of Cooper University Hospital, Camden, New Jersey. "In addition, Eraxis has been shown to have a safety profile comparable to fluconazole and to be compatible with many medicines commonly used by candidemia patients who have other serious health complications."