From Merck:

Merck Announces FDA Acceptance of Biologics License Application for Bezlotoxumab, an Investigational Antitoxin for Prevention of Clostridium Difficile Infection Recurrence

FDA Grants Priority Review with Target Action Date of July 23, 2016

Marketing Authorization Application Also Filed with the European Medicines Agency

Wednesday, January 27, 2016 8:30 am EST

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KENILWORTH, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Merck (NYSE:MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review the Biologics License Application (BLA) for bezlotoxumab, an investigational antitoxin for prevention of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection recurrence. The FDA granted Priority Review for bezlotoxumab, with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date of July 23, 2016.

The company also has filed a marketing authorization application for bezlotoxumab with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) that is currently under review.

“Recurrence is a major challenge with C. difficile infection, one of the most common healthcare-associated infections in U.S. hospitals,” said Dr. Roy Baynes, senior vice president of clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories. “Currently, there are no therapies approved for the prevention of C. difficile infection recurrence. As part of Merck’s commitment to the fight against infectious diseases, we look forward to continuing to work with the FDA and EMA to bring forward this novel medicine for appropriate patients.”

The application for bezlotoxumab is based in part on data from the pivotal MODIFY I and MODIFY II clinical trials. Data from these trials were previously presented at the Interscience Conference of Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) and International Congress of Chemotherapy and Infection (ICC) 2015 joint meeting.

About bezlotoxumab

Bezlotoxumab is an investigational antitoxin given in conjunction with standard of care antibiotics that are used in the treatment of C. difficile infection. It is not an antibiotic. Bezlotoxumab is designed to neutralize C. difficile toxin B, a toxin that can damage the gut wall and cause inflammation, leading to C. difficile-associated diarrhea.

About Merck

Today's Merck is a global health care leader working to help the world be well. Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada. Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to health care through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

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