WALTHAM, Mass., August 11, 2026
Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics (IST) announced that three of its infectious disease therapies, XACDURO® (sulbactam/durlobactam), ZEVTERA® (ceftobiprole medocaril) and NUZOLVENCE® (zoliflodacin), have been selected as finalists in the 2026 Prix Galien USA Best Pharmaceutical Product Award. The recognition highlights the company’s portfolio addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and difficult-to-treat bacterial infections. This marks the third consecutive year that an Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics product has been recognized by the Galien Foundation. The 2026 Prix Galien USA winners are scheduled to be announced on October 29, 2026, in New York City. The three finalist products represent different approaches to infectious disease treatment, including therapies for resistant hospital-acquired infections, bacterial bloodstream infections and drug-resistant gonorrhea. Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics said the recognition reflects the clinical significance of its expanding infectious disease portfolio and its focus on developing and commercializing therapies for serious infections where treatment options remain limited.
Three Infectious Disease Therapies Recognized
XACDURO, ZEVTERA and NUZOLVENCE each address distinct areas of antimicrobial treatment. XACDURO, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2023, is indicated for adults with hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia caused by susceptible Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus complex. The pathogen is classified by the World Health Organization as a critical-priority drug-resistant threat. ZEVTERA, an advanced-generation cephalosporin, received FDA approval in April 2024 and is indicated for adult patients with Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections, including methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA), as well as acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia in specified adult and pediatric populations. NUZOLVENCE, approved by the FDA in December 2025, is a first-in-class single-dose oral antibiotic for uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhea in adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older who weigh at least 35 kg. Its distinct mechanism targets bacterial type II topoisomerases and is intended to address strains resistant to existing first-line therapies.
Portfolio Targets Growing Antimicrobial Resistance Challenge
The recognition comes as antimicrobial resistance continues to create significant challenges for healthcare systems worldwide. Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics said its three Prix Galien finalists collectively address infections involving pathogens that can be difficult to treat with established antibiotics. XACDURO combines the beta-lactam antibacterial sulbactam with the beta-lactamase inhibitor durlobactam, helping restore antibacterial activity against susceptible Acinetobacter isolates. ZEVTERA provides broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against important Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, including MRSA in approved indications. NUZOLVENCE introduces a differentiated mechanism for treating uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhea and was developed through collaboration involving the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP). The company emphasized that the Prix Galien recognition is based on scientific and potential health impact rather than product sales. The finalists therefore highlight the clinical and public-health relevance of therapies developed for areas where drug resistance has created substantial unmet treatment needs.
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Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics Builds Infectious Disease Portfolio
Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics is a subsidiary of Innoviva, Inc. focused on therapies in critical care and infectious disease. Its commercial portfolio includes GIAPREZA®, XERAVA®, XACDURO® and NUZOLVENCE®, while the company also markets ZEVTERA in the United States through an exclusive license from Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd. The three Prix Galien finalists strengthen the company’s position in the infectious disease market by covering multiple bacterial threats and treatment settings. The 2026 Prix Galien USA Best Pharmaceutical Product Award winners will be announced during the October ceremony in New York City. While finalist status does not guarantee an award, the recognition provides external validation of the scientific and clinical importance of IST’s infectious disease portfolio. The company’s three nominations also underscore the growing importance of new antimicrobial therapies capable of addressing resistant pathogens and expanding treatment options for patients with serious bacterial infections..
Source:Innoviva Specialty Therapeutic press release
