Investigating cefepime/taniborbactam for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections

Introduction: The spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria, such as carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, has led to a pressing need for novel treatment options. Cefepime/taniborbactam is a new β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combination showing activity against a broad spectrum of β-lactamases, also including carbapenemases of different classes. Areas covered: In this narrative review, we discuss the preclinical and clinical evidence on cefepime/taniborbactam, including in vitro activity, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies, and efficacy and safety data from randomized controlled trials. Expert opinion: Cefepime/taniborbactam demonstrates promising in vitro activity against a broad range of β-lactamase-producing bacteria, such as carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales, including those producing metallo-β-lactamases, and difficult-to-treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Its efficacy and safety profile in complicated urinary tract infections suggest that it could represent a valuable therapeutic option, particularly in settings with high prevalence of difficult-to-treat pathogens.