Bayer Initiates Phase III Trial of BAY41-6551T, Delivered by a Pulmonary Drug Delivery System Developed by Nektar Therapeutics

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced today that patient enrollment is underway in its global Phase III trial program to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adjunctive aerosolized BAY41-6551 versus aerosolized placebo in the treatment of intubated and mechanically ventilated patients with Gram-negative pneumonia receiving standard of care intravenous antibiotics.  BAY41-6551 consists of amikacin inhalation solution delivered by a Pulmonary Drug Delivery System (PDDS) developed by Nektar Therapeutics

. "Bayer continues to invest in research for potential treatment options for many difficult to treat diseases," said Pamela A. Cyrus, MD, Vice President and Head of U.S. Medical Affairs, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.  "This study is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a solution of amikacin formulated for inhalation, delivered through a proprietary drug delivery system, as an adjunctive therapy for Gram-negative pneumonia in intubated and mechanically ventilated patients." About the Phase III INHALE Study Program The global INHALE study program is comprised of two prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of BAY41-6551 as adjunctive therapy in intubated and mechanically-ventilated patients with Gram-negative pneumonia receiving standard of care intravenous antibiotics.  The study will enroll patients age 18 or above that have microbiologically-confirmed