Phase 1 Study of the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Biapenem in Healthy Adult Subjects

The pharmacokinetics and safety of biapenem were studied in 36 healthy adult subjects in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind, sequential single and multiple-ascending dose study using doses from 250 to 1250 mg administered three times a day using 3-hour infusions. Maximum concentrations for biapenem were achieved at the end of the 3-hour infusion. Biapenem exposure (AUC) increased in a slightly greater than dose-proportional manner following single and multiple doses with no evidence of accumulation with multiple doses. Plasma AUCs increased from 18 mg*h/L at 250 mg to 150 mg*h/L at 1250 mg. Urinary recovery ranged from 14.2% at 250 mg to 42.3% at 1250 mg. Biapenem was well tolerated up to 1000 mg administered every 8 hours by 3-hour infusion for 7 days; however, a higher incidence of nausea, vomiting, and rash was reported at 1250 mg. There were no serious adverse events (SAEs) reported following either single or multiple doses of biapenem and all AEs were mild or moderate in severity.