Spero Therapeutics and GSK Reveal Efficacy and Safety Outcomes of PIVOT-PO Trial
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Oct 21 2025
0mins
Trial Results: Spero Therapeutics and GSK announced that the phase 3 PIVOT-PO trial for tebipenem HBr, an oral treatment for complicated urinary tract infections, showed non-inferiority to intravenous imipenem-cilastatin, with overall success rates of 58.5% and 60.2%, respectively.
Safety Profile: The safety profile of tebipenem HBr was similar to other carbapenem antibiotics, with mild to moderate adverse events primarily including diarrhea and headache.
Secondary Endpoints: Clinical cure rates were 93.5% for tebipenem HBr versus 95.2% for imipenem-cilastatin, while microbiological response rates were 60.3% and 61.3%, respectively, indicating consistent results in patients with antimicrobial-resistant infections.
Regulatory Plans: GSK plans to submit the trial data to US regulatory authorities in Q4, aiming for tebipenem HBr to become the first oral carbapenem antibiotic in the US for complicated urinary tract infections, addressing antimicrobial resistance challenges.
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About SPRO
Spero Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. The Company is focused on identifying and developing novel treatments for rare diseases and diseases caused by multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial infections with unmet need. Its product candidate SPR720 is an investigational, chemically stable phosphate ester prodrug that is converted in vivo to SPR719 for the treatment of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) pulmonary disease. Its clinical stage product candidate, tebipenem HBr is an investigational oral carbapenem antibiotic being developed for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) including acute pyelonephritis (AP) to help patients potentially reduce duration of in-patient therapy.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Clinical Trial Results: A double-blind, randomized non-inferiority trial involving approximately 1,700 hospitalized patients demonstrated that the oral administration of Utebzi 600 mg every six hours is as effective as the intravenous imipenem-cilastatin 500 mg every six hours, further validating its clinical application potential.
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- Extensive Experience: Tregoning brings over 20 years of global corporate affairs experience, having held executive roles in biopharmaceutical companies, particularly her successful tenures at Cerevel Therapeutics and Sanofi, which will provide Kailera with strategic insights to navigate complex policy and regulatory environments.
- Pipeline Development: Kailera is focused on developing multiple GLP-1-based therapeutic options and is advancing four clinical-stage candidates, including the global Phase 3 trial of KAI-9531, which is expected to offer significant weight loss benefits for obesity patients.
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- Expanded Injectable Indication: AbbVie's SKINVIVE received FDA approval to improve neck lines in adults over 21, with pivotal studies showing nearly 75% of patients achieving significant improvement at one month, further solidifying AbbVie's leadership in the aesthetics market.
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- Successful Clinical Trials: Utebzi demonstrated non-inferiority to intravenous therapy in the PIVOT-PO Phase 3 trial, meeting the primary efficacy endpoint, which is expected to significantly enhance patient treatment experiences and reduce reliance on hospital care.
- High Market Demand: With over 3 million cases of complicated urinary tract infections annually in the U.S. and a treatment failure rate of up to 34%, the introduction of Utebzi is anticipated to decrease dependence on intravenous carbapenems, thereby lowering healthcare costs and improving patient quality of life.
- Strategic Implications: GSK's CSO Tony Wood emphasized that the approval of Utebzi is particularly crucial amid rising antibiotic resistance, as it supports innovative infection treatment and enhances patient treatment options.
See More
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- FDA Approval: The US FDA has approved Utebzi, the first oral carbapenem antibiotic for treating complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs), marking a new treatment option that is expected to improve patient quality of life and reduce reliance on intravenous therapy.
- Clinical Trial Success: The PIVOT-PO trial demonstrated that Utebzi's efficacy is comparable to intravenous imipenem-cilastatin, with success rates of 58.5% and 60.2% respectively, providing patients with an effective oral alternative that may decrease hospital resource utilization.
- Significant Market Demand: With over 3 million cUTI cases annually in the US and up to 34% of patients facing resistant infections, the introduction of Utebzi is poised to alleviate this healthcare burden and reduce the over $6 billion in associated healthcare costs each year.
- Strategic Partnership Outcome: This approval is a result of the collaboration between GSK and Spero Therapeutics, which will facilitate the market launch of Utebzi, anticipated to be available to US patients by the end of 2026, further enhancing GSK's competitive position in the anti-infectives sector.
See More
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- FDA Approval: The US FDA has approved Utebzi, the first oral carbapenem antibiotic developed by Spero Therapeutics and GSK for treating complicated urinary tract infections, marking a significant advancement in antibiotic treatment options and expected to enhance patient care.
- Clinical Trial Results: The PIVOT-PO trial demonstrated non-inferiority of oral Tebipenem pivoxil compared to intravenous Imipenem-cilastatin in treating complicated UTIs, with success rates of 58.5% and 60.2% respectively, providing a new therapeutic alternative for patients.
- Significant Market Demand: With over 3 million cases of complicated UTIs annually in the US and approximately 34% of patients facing treatment failure, the introduction of Utebzi is anticipated to significantly reduce hospital resource utilization and alleviate healthcare costs, potentially saving over $6 billion per year.
- Strategic Collaboration Outcome: This approval reflects the successful partnership between GSK and Spero Therapeutics, which not only advanced the development of this new drug but also addresses the urgent need for new treatment options in the face of rising antibiotic resistance globally.
See More
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- Drug Approval: The US FDA has approved Utebzi (tebipenem pivoxil), developed by GSK and Spero Therapeutics, marking it as the first oral carbapenem therapy for complicated urinary tract infections, representing a significant breakthrough in treatment options.
- Clinical Trial Results: A double-blind, randomized non-inferiority trial involving approximately 1,700 hospitalized patients demonstrated that the oral administration of Utebzi 600 mg every six hours is as effective as the intravenous imipenem-cilastatin 500 mg every six hours, further validating its clinical application potential.
- Exclusive License: GSK has secured an exclusive license for Utebzi in all markets except Japan and certain parts of Asia, which strategically positions GSK to expand its market share in the global anti-infective drug sector.
- Market Outlook: With the launch of Utebzi, GSK's competitiveness in the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections is expected to significantly enhance, likely driving future revenue growth and strengthening its leadership position in the anti-infective drug market.
See More
