A Phase III, Randomized, Double-Blind, Active Comparator-Controlled Clinical Trial to Estimate the Efficacy and Safety of Imipenem/Cilastatin/Relebactam (MK-7655A) Versus Colistimethate Sodium + Imipenem/Cilastatin in Subjects With Imipenem-Resistant Bacterial Infection
Phase: PHASE3
Conditions: Bacterial Infections
Sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

Official Protocol Title: 
NCT number: 
NCT02452047 
Document Date: 
11-Sep-2017
A Phase III, Randomized, Double-Blind, Active Comparator-Controlled Clinical Trial to
Estimate the Efficacy and Safety of Imipenem/Cilastatin/Relebactam (MK-7655A) 
Versus Colistimethate Sodium + Imipenem/Cilastatin in Subjects with Imipenem-
Resistant Bacterial Infection

Product:  MK-7655A 
1
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
THIS PROTOCOL AMENDMENT AND ALL OF THE INFORMATION RELATING 
TO IT ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY PROPERTY OF MERCK 
SHARP & DOHME CORP., A SUBSIDIARY OF MERCK & CO., INC., 
WHITEHOUSE STATION, NJ, U.S.A.
SPONSOR:
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. 
(hereafter referred to as the Sponsor or Merck)
One Merck Drive
P.O. Box 100
Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889-0100, U.S.A.
Protocol-specific Sponsor Contact information can be found in the Investigator Trial File 
Binder.
TITLE:
A Phase III, Randomized, Double-Blind, Active Comparator-Controlled Clinical Trial to 
Estimate the Efficacy and Safety of Imipenem/Cilastatin/Relebactam (MK-7655A) Versus 
Colistimethate Sodium + Imipenem/Cilastatin in Subjects with Imipenem-Resistant Bacterial 
Infection 
IND NUMBER:  108,754
EudraCT NUMBER:  2015-000066-62
04R3DR
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
2
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMARY OF CHANGES................................................................................................ 10
1.0
TRIAL SUMMARY.................................................................................................. 13
2.0
TRIAL DESIGN........................................................................................................ 14
Trial Design ........................................................................................................... 14
2.1
Trial Diagram........................................................................................................ 16
2.2
3.0
OBJECTIVE(S) & HYPOTHESIS(ES).................................................................. 16
Primary Objective(s) & Hypothesis(es) .............................................................. 16
3.1
Secondary Objective(s) & Hypothesis(es)........................................................... 17
3.2
Key Secondary Objectives.................................................................................. 17
3.2.1
Other Secondary Objectives................................................................................ 17
3.2.2
Exploratory Objectives......................................................................................... 17
3.3
4.0
BACKGROUND & RATIONALE.......................................................................... 18
Background ........................................................................................................... 18
4.1
Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Background .................................................... 18
4.1.1
Ongoing Clinical Trials....................................................................................... 21
4.1.2
Information on Other Trial-Related Therapy...................................................... 21
4.1.3
Rationale................................................................................................................ 22
4.2
Rationale for the Trial and Selected Subject Population .................................... 22
4.2.1
Rationale for Dose Selection/Regimen/Modification ......................................... 24
4.2.2
Imipenem/Relebactam (IMI/REL)............................................................... 24
4.2.2.1
Colistin as Colistimethate Sodium (CMS)................................................... 25
4.2.2.2
Imipenem/Cilastatin..................................................................................... 26
4.2.2.3
Placebo......................................................................................................... 27
4.2.2.4
Duration of Therapy..................................................................................... 27
4.2.2.5
Rationale for Choice of Comparator............................................................ 28
4.2.2.6
Rationale for Endpoints ...................................................................................... 29
4.2.3
Efficacy Endpoints....................................................................................... 29
4.2.3.1
4.2.3.1.1
Definition of Efficacy Endpoints.......................................................... 31
Overall Response............................................................................ 31
4.2.3.1.1.1
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
3
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
4.2.3.1.1.1.1
Survival/All-Cause Mortality.................................................. 32
4.2.3.1.1.1.2
Clinical Response.................................................................... 32
4.2.3.1.1.1.3
Microbiological Response....................................................... 34
Safety Endpoints .......................................................................................... 37
4.2.3.2
Pharmacokinetic Endpoints ......................................................................... 38
4.2.3.3
Future Biomedical Research........................................................................ 38
4.2.3.4
Benefit/Risk ........................................................................................................... 39
4.3
5.0
METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................... 40
Entry Criteria........................................................................................................ 40
5.1
Diagnosis/Condition for Entry into the Trial ...................................................... 40
5.1.1
Subject Inclusion Criteria.................................................................................... 40
5.1.2
Treatment Groups 1 and 2............................................................................ 40
5.1.2.1
Open-Label, Treatment Group 3.................................................................. 42
5.1.2.2
Subject Exclusion Criteria .................................................................................. 44
5.1.3
Treatment Groups 1 and 2............................................................................ 44
5.1.3.1
Open-Label, Treatment Group 3.................................................................. 46
5.1.3.2
Trial Treatment(s) ................................................................................................ 49
5.2
Dose Selection/Modification .............................................................................. 50
5.2.1
Dose Selection ............................................................................................. 50
5.2.1.1
Timing of Dose Administration .......................................................................... 52
5.2.2
Trial Blinding/Masking....................................................................................... 53
5.2.3
Randomization or Treatment Allocation............................................................ 54
5.3
Stratification.......................................................................................................... 54
5.4
Concomitant Medications/Vaccinations (allowed & prohibited) ..................... 55
5.5
Rescue Medications & Supportive Care............................................................. 56
5.6
Diet/Activity/Other Considerations..................................................................... 56
5.7
Subject Withdrawal/Discontinuation Criteria................................................... 56
5.8
Subject Replacement Strategy............................................................................. 58
5.9
Beginning and End of the Trial ........................................................................... 58
5.10
Clinical Criteria for Early Trial Termination ................................................... 58
5.11
6.0
TRIAL FLOW CHART ........................................................................................... 59
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
4
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
7.0
TRIAL PROCEDURES ........................................................................................... 63
Trial Procedures ................................................................................................... 63
7.1
Administrative Procedures.................................................................................. 63
7.1.1
Informed Consent......................................................................................... 63
7.1.1.1
7.1.1.1.1
General Informed Consent.................................................................... 63
7.1.1.1.2
Consent and Collection of Specimens for Future Biomedical 
Research................................................................................................ 63
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria ........................................................................ 64
7.1.1.2
Subject Identification Card .......................................................................... 64
7.1.1.3
Medical History ........................................................................................... 64
7.1.1.4
Prior and Concomitant Medications Review ............................................... 64
7.1.1.5
7.1.1.5.1
Prior Medications.................................................................................. 64
7.1.1.5.2
Concomitant Medications..................................................................... 64
Assignment of Screening Number............................................................... 64
7.1.1.6
Assignment of Randomization Number....................................................... 65
7.1.1.7
Trial Compliance (Medication/Diet/Activity/Other) ................................... 65
7.1.1.8
Clinical Procedures/Assessments........................................................................ 65
7.1.2
Study Drug Administration.......................................................................... 65
7.1.2.1
APACHE II Score........................................................................................ 66
7.1.2.2
Full and Directed Physical Examinations.................................................... 66
7.1.2.3
Vital Signs.................................................................................................... 66
7.1.2.4
Height and Weight ....................................................................................... 67
7.1.2.5
Adverse Event Monitoring........................................................................... 67
7.1.2.6
Clinical Signs and Symptoms of Infection .................................................. 67
7.1.2.7
7.1.2.7.1
Infection Source Control Review ......................................................... 68
7.1.2.7.2
Chest X-Ray (HABP/VABP only) ....................................................... 68
7.1.2.7.3
PaO2/FiO2 Ratio and O2 (HABP/VABP only)...................................... 69
Laboratory Procedures/Assessments .................................................................. 69
7.1.3
Laboratory Safety Evaluations (Hematology, Chemistry and Urinalysis) .. 69
7.1.3.1
Culture and Susceptibility Testing............................................................... 70
7.1.3.2
7.1.3.2.1
Prior Infection-Site Specimens ............................................................. 71
7.1.3.2.2
On-Study Infection-Site Specimens...................................................... 71
Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Evaluations ........................................ 73
7.1.3.3
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
5
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
7.1.3.3.1
Blood Collection for Plasma for MK-7655 .......................................... 73
Future Biomedical Research........................................................................ 74
7.1.3.4
Efficacy Evaluation...................................................................................... 74
7.1.3.5
7.1.3.5.1
Clinical Response ................................................................................. 74
7.1.3.5.2
By-Pathogen Microbiological Response .............................................. 74
7.1.3.5.3
Survival Assessment............................................................................. 74
Other Procedures................................................................................................. 74
7.1.4
Withdrawal/Discontinuation........................................................................ 74
7.1.4.1
7.1.4.1.1
Withdrawal From Future Biomedical Research ................................... 75
Blinding/Unblinding .................................................................................... 75
7.1.4.2
Visit Requirements.............................................................................................. 76
7.1.5
Screening...................................................................................................... 76
7.1.5.1
Treatment Period.......................................................................................... 76
7.1.5.2
Post-Therapy................................................................................................ 76
7.1.5.3
Assessing and Recording Adverse Events .......................................................... 76
7.2
Definition of an Overdose for This Protocol and Reporting of Overdose to 
7.2.1
the Sponsor.......................................................................................................... 77
Reporting of Pregnancy and Lactation to the Sponsor ....................................... 78
7.2.2
Immediate Reporting of Adverse Events to the Sponsor.................................... 78
7.2.3
Serious Adverse Events ............................................................................... 78
7.2.3.1
Events of Clinical Interest............................................................................ 79
7.2.3.2
Evaluating Adverse Events ................................................................................. 80
7.2.4
Sponsor Responsibility for Reporting Adverse Events ...................................... 83
7.2.5
TRIAL GOVERNANCE AND OVERSIGHT ................................................... 83
7.3
Scientific Advisory Committee........................................................................... 83
7.3.1
8.0
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS PLAN ........................................................................ 83
Statistical Analysis Plan Summary ..................................................................... 83
8.1
Efficacy Analysis ................................................................................................ 83
8.1.1
Safety Analysis ................................................................................................... 84
8.1.2
Power and Sample Size....................................................................................... 85
8.1.3
Statistical Analysis Plan ....................................................................................... 85
8.2
Responsibility for Analyses/In-House Blinding ................................................. 85
8.2.1
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
6
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Hypotheses/Estimation ....................................................................................... 86
8.2.2
Analysis Endpoints ............................................................................................. 86
8.2.3
Efficacy Endpoints....................................................................................... 86
8.2.3.1
Safety Endpoints .......................................................................................... 86
8.2.3.2
Analysis Populations........................................................................................... 87
8.2.4
Efficacy Analysis Populations ..................................................................... 87
8.2.4.1
Safety Analysis Populations ........................................................................ 88
8.2.4.2
Statistical Methods.............................................................................................. 88
8.2.5
Statistical Methods for Efficacy Analyses ................................................... 88
8.2.5.1
Statistical Methods for Safety Analyses ...................................................... 89
8.2.5.2
Summaries of Baseline Characteristics, Demographics, and Other 
8.2.5.3
Analyses....................................................................................................... 90
Multiplicity ......................................................................................................... 91
8.2.6
Sample Size and Power Calculations.................................................................. 91
8.2.7
Subgroup Analyses and Effect of Baseline Factors ............................................ 93
8.2.8
Interim Analyses ................................................................................................. 93
8.2.9
9.0
LABELING, PACKAGING, STORAGE AND RETURN OF CLINICAL 
SUPPLIES ................................................................................................................. 93
Investigational Product ........................................................................................ 93
9.1
Packaging and Labeling Information ................................................................. 94
9.2
Clinical Supplies Disclosure................................................................................. 94
9.3
Storage and Handling Requirements.................................................................. 94
9.4
Returns and Reconciliation.................................................................................. 94
9.5
Standard Policies................................................................................................... 95
9.6
10.0
ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY DETAILS....................................... 95
Confidentiality....................................................................................................... 95
10.1
Confidentiality of Data ....................................................................................... 95
10.1.1
Confidentiality of Subject Records ..................................................................... 95
10.1.2
Confidentiality of Investigator Information........................................................ 95
10.1.3
Confidentiality of IRB/IEC Information............................................................. 96
10.1.4
Compliance with Financial Disclosure Requirements....................................... 96
10.2
Compliance with Law, Audit and Debarment ................................................... 96
10.3
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
7
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Compliance with Trial Registration and Results Posting Requirements ........ 98
10.4
Quality Management System............................................................................... 98
10.5
Data Management................................................................................................. 99
10.6
Publications ........................................................................................................... 99
10.7
11.0
LIST OF REFERENCES....................................................................................... 100
12.0
APPENDICES......................................................................................................... 107
Merck Code of Conduct for Clinical Trials...................................................... 107
12.1
Collection and Management of Specimens for Future Biomedical 
12.2
Research............................................................................................................... 109
Pharmacogenetics 
Informational 
Brochure 
for 
IRBs/IECs 
& 
12.3
Investigational Site Staff .................................................................................... 115
Approximate Blood/Tissue Volumes Drawn/Collected by Trial Visit and 
12.4
by Sample Types ................................................................................................. 124
Disease Definition and Diagnostic Guidelines for Infection Types Targeted 
12.5
for Enrollment in Protocol 013.......................................................................... 125
APACHE II Severity of Disease Classification System – APACHE II 
12.6
Score Form .......................................................................................................... 131
List of Abbreviations .......................................................................................... 133
12.7
13.0
SIGNATURES......................................................................................................... 134
Sponsor's Representative ................................................................................... 134
13.1
Investigator.......................................................................................................... 134
13.2
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
8
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
LIST OF TABLES
    
Table 1  Approximate Dosing Units for Colistin.................................................................... 25
Table 2  Description of Individual Infection Site Responses Supporting Determination of 
Favorable Overall Response (Primary Endpoint)....................................................... 31
Table 3  Definitions of the Clinical Response Rating at the OTX Visit (Day 3) ................... 32
Table 4  Definitions of the Clinical Response Rating at the EOT Visit ................................. 33
Table 5  Definitions of the Clinical Response Rating at the EFU and Day 28 Post-
Randomization Visit ................................................................................................... 34
Table 6  Definitions of the By-Pathogen Microbiological Response Rating at the OTX 
Visit (Day 3) ............................................................................................................... 35
Table 7  Definitions of the By-Pathogen Microbiological Response Rating at the EOT 
Visit............................................................................................................................. 36
Table 8  Definitions of the By-Pathogen Microbiological Response at the EFU Visit.......... 37
Table 9  Criteria for Defining Nephrotoxicity........................................................................ 38
Table 10  Trial Treatments...................................................................................................... 49
Table 11  Administration Dosage of IMI/REL and IMI According to Renal Function ......... 51
Table 12  Administration Dosage of Loading and Daily Maintenance Doses of CMS 
According to Renal Function...................................................................................... 51
Table 13  Infection-Site Specific Clinical Signs and Symptoms............................................ 68
Table 14  Laboratory Tests ..................................................................................................... 69
Table 15  Evaluating Adverse Events..................................................................................... 81
Table 16  Summary of Analysis Strategy for Primary and Key Secondary Endpoints.......... 85
Table 17  Analysis Strategy for Safety Parameters ................................................................ 90
Table 18  Two-Sided 95% Confidence Intervals for Favorable Overall Response................ 92
Table 19  Fisher Exact two-sided p-values Comparing Treatment Group 1 (IMI/REL) 
and Treatment Group 2 (CMS + IMI) – Possible Study Outcomes............................ 92
Table 20  Product Descriptions............................................................................................... 93
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
9
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
LIST OF FIGURES
          
Figure 1  Trial Design............................................................................................................. 16
Figure 2  Dosing Scheme for Study Therapies....................................................................... 53
Figure 3  Process Flow for Collection and Testing of Study-Related Microbiology 
Samples....................................................................................................................... 73
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
10
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
SUMMARY OF CHANGES
PRIMARY REASON FOR THIS AMENDMENT:
Section Number (s)
Section Title(s)
Description of Change
Rationale
8.1.1;
8.2.5.1;
8.2.8
Efficacy Analysis;
Statistical Methods for Efficacy 
Analyses;
Subgroup Analyses and Effect 
of Baseline Factors
Calculation of 90% confidence 
intervals for between-group 
differences has been added to 
the analysis plan for the 
primary efficacy endpoint and 
key secondary efficacy 
endpoints across the entire trial 
population and across specified 
subgroups, with stratification 
by infection type where 
appropriate.
This change allows for 
additional analysis of potential 
differences between treatment 
groups.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
11
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
ADDITIONAL CHANGE(S) FOR THIS AMENDMENT:
Section Number(s)
Section Title(s)
Description of Change (s)
Rationale
5.5;
5.1.3.1;
5.1.3.2
Concomitant 
Medications/Vaccinations 
(allowed & prohibited);
Exclusion Criteria, Treatment 
Groups 1 and 2;
Exclusion Criteria, Open-
Label, Treatment Group 3
Added additional allowed 
antibacterial medication for 
clarity.
Antibacterial 
trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole 
(TMP/SMX) is commonly used 
in immunocompromised 
patients for prophylaxis of 
Pneumocystis jiroveci (fungal) 
infection. While TMP/SMX 
has some Gram-negative 
activity, prophylaxis regimens 
for Pneumocystis would not be 
expected to impact treatment of 
infections in the trial. A note 
was added to clarify this 
medication is allowed to 
continue in 
immunocompromised subjects.
8.1.1;
8.1.2;
8.2.4.1
Efficacy Analysis;
Safety Analysis;
Efficacy Analysis Populations
Added text to clarify that, in 
order to be included in the 
mMITT population, subjects 
with polymicrobial infections 
must have at least one baseline 
pathogen that meets the 
requirements of inclusion 
criterion #3, and all pathogens 
identified at the baseline time 
point must be susceptible to 
both IMI/REL and colistin.
This update was made to clarify 
the mMITT population criteria 
for subjects with polymicrobial 
infections.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
12
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Section Number(s)
Section Title(s)
Description of Change (s)
Rationale
8.2.8
Subgroup Analyses and Effect 
of Baseline Factors
Added “e.g.” to the 
parenthetical list of race 
subgroups.
This update was made to clarify 
that race subgroups other than 
White, Black, and Asian will be 
evaluated as appropriate.
11
List of References
Added reference for Miettinen 
and Nurminen (1985) method 
for calculating confidence 
intervals for between-group 
differences. 
This reference is now cited in 
the text.
Global
Minor editorial revisions.
Minor editorial revisions made 
for enhanced readability.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
13
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
1.0 TRIAL SUMMARY
Abbreviated Title
IMI/REL (MK-7655A) vs. CMS + IMI in Subjects with Imipenem-
Resistant Bacterial Infection  
Trial Phase
III
Clinical Indication
Treatment of imipenem-resistant  bacterial infection, including hospital-
acquired/ventilator-associated pneumonia (HABP/VABP), complicated 
intra-abdominal infection (cIAI) or complicated urinary tract infection 
(cUTI)
Trial Type
Interventional
Type of control
Active Control
Route of administration
Intravenous
Trial Blinding
Double-blind
Treatment Groups
Treatment Groups 1 and 2 will enroll subjects with bacterial infections 
(HABP/VABP, cIAI or cUTI) which are imipenem-resistant but 
susceptible to IMI/REL as well as colistin, while Treatment Group 3 will 
enroll subjects with bacterial infections which are imipenem-resistant
and colistin-resistant but susceptible to IMI/REL:
Treatment Group 1 (N=~36): Imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam
(IMI/REL);
Treatment Group 2 (N=~18): Colistin (in the form of colistimethate 
sodium, CMS) + Imipenem/Cilastatin (referred to as IMI throughout the 
protocol document).  NOTE: Since subjects in Treatment Group 2 will 
receive 2 separate therapies (CMS and IMI), subjects in Treatment 
Group 1 will be provided placebo to CMS in addition to IMI/REL such 
that subjects in both treatment groups will receive 2 infusions in order to 
maintain study blind;
Treatment Group 3: Subjects with documented imipenem-resistant and 
colistin-resistant bacterial infections may be eligible (reference Section 
5.1.2.2 for eligibility criteria) for participation in the study to receive 
open-label treatment with IMI/REL.  
Number of trial subjects
Approximately 54 subjects will be enrolled into Treatment Groups 1 and 
2.  Additional eligible subjects may be enrolled into Treatment Group 3 
to receive open-label therapy.
Estimated duration of trial
The Sponsor estimates that the trial will require approximately 21
months (~84 weeks) of enrollment + up to 21 days (3 weeks) of IV study 
therapy + at least 14 days (2 weeks) of safety follow-up = 89 weeks from 
the time the first subject signs the informed consent until the last 
subject’s last visit.
Duration of Participation
Each subject will participate in the trial for approximately 4 to 5 weeks 
from the time the subject signs the Informed Consent Form (ICF) 
through the final contact, depending on the duration of IV study therapy.  
After a screening visit, each subject will receive assigned IV study 
therapy for approximately 5 (cIAI or cUTI) or 7 (HABP/VABP) to up to 
21 days.  After the end of IV study therapy, each subject will be followed 
for at least 14 days.  All subjects must also have a study visit 28 days 
following randomization. The total duration for each subject in the study 
will be up to 35 days.
Randomization Ratio
2:1 for Treatment Group 1 (IMI/REL): Treatment Group 2 (CMS + IMI)  
A list of abbreviations used in this document can be found in Section 12.7.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
14
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
2.0 TRIAL DESIGN
Trial Design
2.1
MK-7655 (also known as relebactam) is being developed as a fixed dose combination (FDC) 
with imipenem/cilastatin, a BL/BLI combination (also known as MK-7655A). Throughout 
this protocol the combination of imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam will be referred to as 
IMI/REL and imipenem/cilastatin will be referred to as IMI. 
This is a randomized, double-blind (with in-house blinding), active-controlled, parallel-
group, multi-site trial of IMI/REL compared with colistin (in the form of colistimethate 
sodium [CMS]) + IMI in subjects with imipenem-resistant bacterial infection.  This study 
will be conducted in conformance with Good Clinical Practices. 
Approximately 54 subjects with imipenem-resistant bacterial infection (with colistin and 
IMI/REL susceptibility) will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to the 2 blinded, randomized arms 
of the study, with ~36 subjects in Treatment Group 1 (IMI/REL) and ~18 subjects in
Treatment Group 2 (CMS + IMI) in order to obtain a minimum of 45 subjects (15 per 
infection type) who meet the criteria for inclusion in the microbiological modified intent-to-
treat (mMITT) population.  Subjects with hospital-acquired or ventilator-associated bacterial 
pneumonia (HABP/VABP), complicated intra-abdominal infection (cIAI), or complicated 
urinary tract infection (cUTI) as a primary infection site will be eligible for enrollment.  
Subjects with bloodstream infections (bacteremia) secondary to HABP/VABP, cIAI, or cUTI
are eligible for enrollment. Randomization into Treatment Group 1 and Treatment Group 2 
will be stratified by infection type and approximately18 subjects will be enrolled per 
infection type (See Section 5.4 for details).  At the discretion of the Sponsor, enrollment may 
be stopped prior to reaching 54 total subjects if a sufficient number of mMITT subjects have
been obtained. Enrollment may also be extended beyond 54 subjects at the discretion of the 
Sponsor for the following reasons: 1) if additional subjects beyond 54 are required to obtain 
the target number of mMITT subjects; or 2) if enrollment in any individual stratum has not 
been completed, while other strata remain open (even after a sufficient number of mMITT 
subjects have been obtained in those strata), until all 3 strata have reached full capacity (i.e., 
15 mMITT evaluable subjects each). 
For subjects in Treatment Group 1, IMI and REL will be provided together in a single vial 
(and therefore a single infusion) as a fixed-dose combination product in this study (IMI/REL, 
also known as MK-7655A).  Since subjects in Treatment Group 2 will receive 2 separate 
therapies (CMS and IMI), subjects in Treatment Group 1 will be provided a placebo which 
matches CMS in addition to IMI/REL so that subjects in both treatment groups receive 2 
infusions.  This will maintain the study blind (see Figure 2). 
In addition to the ~54 randomized subjects, subjects with documented imipenem- and 
colistin-resistant but IMI/REL-susceptible bacterial infection will be enrolled into a third 
non-randomized, unblinded/open-label treatment group (Treatment Group 3) to receive 
IMI/REL.  Subjects enrolled in Treatment Group 3 will follow the same study procedures as 
randomized subjects in Treatment Groups 1 and 2.  Although enrollment into the open-label 
arm will not be limited, the Sponsor estimates approximately 5 to 10 subjects will be 
enrolled, as resistance to colistin remains relatively uncommon.  Since the number of 
subjects could vary depending on resistance rates within each enrolling institution, it is 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
15
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
difficult to estimate the actual number that will be obtained.  Enrollment in Treatment Group 
3 will be ongoing until enrollment in Treatment Groups 1 and 2 is complete.
After a maximum 24-hour screening period, subjects will receive a minimum of either 5 
(cIAI and cUTI strata) or 7 (HABP/VABP stratum) days up to a maximum of 21 days of 
intravenous (IV) study therapy.  Duration of study therapy longer than 21 days must be 
approved by the Sponsor.  While on study therapy, study visits will be performed on Day 1 
(randomization), Day 3 (on therapy visit, OTX), and at end of therapy (EOT).  Following the 
completion of IV study therapy, all subjects will be evaluated 5 to 9 days following 
completion of therapy (at the early follow-up, EFU visit).  In addition, a Day 28 post-
randomization visit will be performed in all subjects (which may be performed on the same 
day as EFU, depending on the duration of IV study therapy).  Depending on duration of IV 
study therapy, a safety follow-up visit may also be required in order to collect information on 
adverse experiences that occur during the 14 days following completion of IV study therapy. 
All subjects will remain in the study for a total of up to 35 days.
Safety and tolerability will be carefully monitored throughout the study by the Sponsor in 
accordance with standard procedures.
Specific procedures to be performed during the trial, as well as their prescribed times and 
associated visit windows, are outlined in the Trial Flow Chart - Section 6.0. Details of each 
procedure are provided in Section 7.0 – Trial Procedures.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
16
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Trial Diagram
2.2
The trial design is depicted in Figure 1.
Figure 1  Trial Design
3.0 OBJECTIVE(S) & HYPOTHESIS(ES)
Primary Objective(s) & Hypothesis(es)
3.1
(1) Objective:  To estimate the proportion of subjects with favorable overall response to 
IMI/REL (Treatment Group 1 only) and to CMS + IMI (Treatment Group 2).
The overall response will be estimated based on the following:  (a) survival (based upon 
all-cause mortality) through Day 28 post-randomization in subjects with HABP/VABP, 
(b) clinical response at Day 28 post-randomization for subjects with cIAI and (c) the 
composite clinical and microbiological response at the early follow-up visit, EFU (Day 5 
to 9 following completion of therapy) for subjects with cUTI. 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
17
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
(2) Objective:  To evaluate the safety and tolerability profile of IMI/REL (Treatment Group 
1 only).
No hypothesis testing will be performed.
Secondary Objective(s) & Hypothesis(es)
3.2
Key Secondary Objectives
3.2.1
(1) Objective:  To estimate the proportion of subjects with a favorable clinical response to 
IMI/REL (Treatment Group 1 only) and CMS + IMI (Treatment Group 2) at Day 28 post-
randomization.
(2) Objective:  To estimate the incidence of all-cause mortality through Day 28 post-
randomization in Treatment Group 1 (IMI/REL) and in Treatment Group 2 (CMS + IMI).
(3) Objective:  To estimate the proportion of subjects who experience treatment-emergent 
nephrotoxicity in Treatment Group 1 (IMI/REL) and in Treatment Group 2 (CMS + IMI).
Other Secondary Objectives
3.2.2
(1) Objective:  To estimate the proportion of subjects with a favorable clinical response to 
IMI/REL (Treatment Group 1 only) and CMS + IMI (Treatment Group 2) at the Day 3 
on-therapy visit (OTX), at the end of therapy (EOT) visit and at the early follow-up visit 
(EFU, Day 5 to 9 post EOT). 
(2) Objective:  For subjects with cUTI, to estimate the proportion of subjects with a 
favorable microbiological response to IMI/REL (Treatment Group 1 only) and to CMS + 
IMI (Treatment Group 2) at the following visits: OTX, EOT, and EFU.
Exploratory Objectives 
3.3
(1) Objective:  To summarize the proportion of subjects with a favorable clinical response by 
infection type in Treatment Group 1 (IMI/REL) and in Treatment Group 2 (CMS + IMI) 
at EOT. 
(2) Objective:  To summarize the proportion of subjects with favorable clinical response (for 
all subjects) and favorable microbiological response (for cUTI) by baseline pathogen(s)
in Treatment Group 1 (IMI/REL) and in Treatment Group 2 (CMS + IMI) at EOT.  
(3) Objective:  To summarize the pharmacokinetics (PK) and to evaluate the 
pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) association of REL, imipenem, and 
cilastatin (CIL; PK only).
(4) Objective:  To describe the emergence of resistance to IMI/REL, to imipenem and to 
colistin by pathogen in all randomized subjects.
(5) Objective:  For subjects enrolled in Treatment Group 3, to evaluate the safety, tolerability 
and efficacy of IMI/REL.  
Efficacy will be summarized based on the proportion of subjects with a favorable clinical 
response for all subjects and microbiological response for subjects with cUTI to IMI/REL
at OTX, EOT, EFU and Day 28 post-randomization (clinical response only).
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
18
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
4.0 BACKGROUND & RATIONALE
Background
4.1
Refer to the Investigator’s Brochure (IB)/approved labeling for detailed background 
information on MK-7655A.
Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Background
4.1.1
MK-7655 (relebactam) is a parenteral (IV), small-molecule β-lactamase inhibitor (BLI) 
which is being developed as a fixed dose combination in a single vial with 
imipenem/cilastatin (referred to as IMI) for the treatment of infections caused by Gram-
negative 
bacteria. 
Throughout 
this 
document 
the 
fixed 
dose 
combination 
of 
imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam (MK-7655A) will be referred to as IMI/REL.  β-lactam 
antibiotics (penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, and monobactams) are among the most 
frequently used antimicrobial agents in clinical practice.  The unrelenting development of 
resistance to these β-lactam antibiotics by the production of β-lactamases is the most 
important resistance mechanism among Gram-negative bacteria and poses an ongoing threat 
to the clinical utility of all β-lactams.  Therefore, there is an urgent need for new BLIs that 
can be combined with existing β-lactam antibiotics to protect against hydrolysis by one or 
more of the four classes (A, B, C and D) of β-lactamase enzymes.
Relebactam (REL) represents a new generation of BLIs to combat evolving clinical 
resistance and to maintain the usefulness of the β-lactam class of antibiotics.  REL is a dual 
Ambler Class A/Class C BLI.  This BLI is highly potent for AmpC, a common Class C β-
lactamase encountered in many bacteria, most predominantly Pseudomonas aeruginosa. REL
is also active against the Class A β-lactamases, including the Klebsiella pneumoniae
carbapenemase (KPC) present in some Enterobacteriaceae, including Klebsiella strains.  REL
has no activity against the Class B metallo-β-lactamases (including NDM-1, IMP, or VIM-
containing strains) or Class D β-lactamases (including OXA-producing strains).
Preclinical data, including in vitro microbiological studies with imipenem-resistant clinical 
isolates of P. aeruginosa and KPC-producing organisms, as well as in vivo infection models 
with imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae, suggest that REL, in combination 
with IMI, has the potential to fulfill a significant and growing medical need by providing a 
next-generation BLI to combat severe Gram-negative bacterial infections.  Preclinical 
toxicity studies in rats and monkeys have demonstrated that REL is generally well-tolerated.  
There was no evidence of adverse effects of REL as a single agent on cardiovascular, central 
nervous system, and respiratory function in well-characterized preclinical safety 
pharmacology models.  Toxicity of REL in combination with IMI has been evaluated for up 
to one month in monkeys.  Evidence of renal toxicity was observed at levels 0.6 times the 
target human exposure; however, no clinically relevant findings associated with renal 
function have been identified in the Phase I studies or in the completed Phase II study in 
humans.
To date, REL has been evaluated in approximately 218 individuals who have received at 
least one dose of REL across six completed Phase I studies (PN001, PN002, PN005, PN007, 
PN009 and PN012).  Healthy young and elderly male and female adults as well as patients 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
19
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
with varying degrees of renal insufficiency have been studied, including patients with end 
stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis. 
Unblinded safety data from the Phase I studies have demonstrated that single and multiple 
intravenous doses of REL have been generally safe and well tolerated throughout the dose 
ranges tested and across the various subject populations.  In PN009 (a standard thorough QTc 
study evaluating the effect of REL on the QTc interval), a supratherapeutic dose of REL did 
not prolong the QTc interval to a clinically meaningful extent and no risk of cardiac 
repolarization prolongation was identified.
In PN001, generally mild elevations in hepatic transaminases above the upper limit of normal 
range (ULN) have been observed in the multiple-dose treatment arms in which REL was co-
administered with IMI.  Elevations were also seen in subjects receiving IMI alone.  None of 
the liver transaminase elevations in these subjects were associated with clinical findings.  The 
elevations were not dose related and were reversible after discontinuation of dosing.  
Generally mild elevations in hepatic transaminases were also observed in Japanese subjects 
receiving multiple doses of REL in PN012.  Similar to observations in PN001, the increases 
in ALT/AST resolved after completion of dosing. Elevations have not been observed in 
subjects administered single or multiple doses in PN002, PN005, PN007 or single doses in 
PN009.  
The PK of REL, imipenem, and CIL were evaluated following single and multiple doses of 
REL in combination with 500 mg IMI, administered every 6 hours for 7 to 14 days in PN001 
and PN002.  Data from these studies demonstrated that REL exposures increase 
proportionally with dose, with doses at 125 mg and above exceeding the identified REL PK 
target of AUC0-∞≥37.5 μM-hr.  PN012 showed that the pharmacokinetic profiles of REL, 
imipenem and cilastatin in healthy Japanese subjects were similar to historical data obtained 
from non-Japanese subjects in PN001. The PK of REL, imipenem, and CIL were also 
evaluated in renally impaired subjects (PN005).  PK data from PN005 were consistent with 
expectations given that REL, imipenem, and CIL are cleared almost entirely renally in 
healthy subjects.  The plasma clearance (CLplasma), terminal half-life (t1/2) and area under the 
concentration time curve (AUC0-∞) were significantly and similarly altered for each of these 
three analytes when comparing subjects with renal impairment to their healthy matched 
subjects.  These data are consistent with the expected change in magnitude of glomerular
filtration rate (GFR).  In addition, in subjects with ESRD, REL, imipenem, and CIL were 
efficiently removed by hemodialysis.  The PK of REL was also studied in healthy volunteers 
in an intrapulmonary lung penetration study (PN007).  In PN007, the intrapulmonary PK
profiles of REL and imipenem were assessed after administration of REL and IMI
administered every 6 hours over 5 doses.  Data in these subjects showed penetration of both 
REL and imipenem into the extracellular (epithelial lung fluid [ELF]) and intracellular 
(alveolar cells [AC]) spaces. In PN009, the pharmacokinetics of REL were assessed to 
confirm that supratherapeutic levels were achieved for the evaluation of the effect of REL on 
the QTc interval A single 1150 mg dose of REL in PN009 achieved AUC0-∞and a Ceoi that 
were ~4-fold higher than those observed following a single dose of 250 mg and similar to 
exposures observed after an identical dose in PN001.
Additional details regarding the preclinical and Phase I clinical studies completed to date are 
summarized in the Investigator's Brochure for MK-7655A.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
20
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
PN004 was a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, comparative study evaluating the 
safety, tolerability, and efficacy of IMI + REL versus IMI alone in adults with cIAI. 
Enrollment in PN004 was completed on 8-Jul-2014 and last patient last visit was achieved on 
12-Aug-2014.  A total of 351 subjects with cIAI were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of 3 
treatment groups (1) IMI + REL (250 mg), (2) IMI + REL (125 mg), or (3) IMI + placebo to 
REL. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of subjects with favorable clinical 
response at discontinuation of IV study therapy (DCIV). The primary analysis population 
was the microbiologically evaluable (ME) population.  The primary efficacy analysis 
indicates that treatment with either 250 mg or 125 mg of IMI + REL is at least as effective as 
IMI alone.  Specifically, at DCIV in the ME population, the proportion of subjects with a 
favorable clinical response was 96.3 % (78/81) in subjects who received IMI + REL (250 
mg), 98.8 % (85/86) in subjects who received IMI + REL (125 mg), and 95.2 % (79/83) in 
subjects who received IMI + placebo to REL. 
The incidence rate of adverse experiences observed in subjects who received either dose of 
IMI + REL (either the 125 mg or the 250 mg dose of REL) was generally comparable to that 
observed in subjects who received IMI + placebo to REL. No evidence of significant renal 
toxicity or hepatotoxicity was observed.  Given the findings from PN001, close monitoring 
for transaminase elevations was included in PN004.  As part of this monitoring, there were 2 
pre-specified events of clinical interest (ECI) that triggered staged evaluation and monitoring 
of subjects with these elevations. The events of clinical interest included: 1) confirmed AST 
or ALT ≥ 5 X ULN and 2) ALT or AST ≥ 3 X ULN and total bilirubin ≥ 2 X ULN and, at 
the same time, alkaline phosphatase < 2 X ULN. A total of 2 (1.7%) subjects who received 
IMI + REL (250 mg), 0 subjects who received IMI + REL (125 mg) and 2 (1.8%) subjects 
who received IMI + placebo to REL experienced ECI #1. The two subjects with ECI #1 in 
the IMI + REL (250 mg) group were due to elevations in the subject’s ALT, while the two 
subjects in the IMI + placebo to REL met criteria for ECI #1 based on elevations in AST. 
There were no statistically significant differences between either of the two IMI + REL
groups versus the IMI + placebo to REL in the percentage of subjects meeting the definition
of ECI #1. There was 1 subject who received IMI + REL (250 mg) who met the criteria for 
ECI #2. On the second day of IV therapy, the subject developed elevated ALT/AST during 
treatment with IV study therapy which normalized with continued therapy. The subject 
subsequently completed study therapy and was considered a cure.  In the investigator’s 
opinion, the elevations were not related to study therapy and could be due to concurrent 
septic shock or history of cholelithiasis. There were no statistically significant differences 
between either of the two REL groups vs the IMI + placebo to REL group in the percentage 
of subjects meeting the ECI #2 definition.
PN003 was a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, comparative study evaluating the 
safety, tolerability, and efficacy of IMI + REL versus IMI alone (IMI + placebo to REL) in 
adults ≥18 years of age with cUTI. Enrollment in PN003 was completed on 05-Jun-2015 and 
last patient last visit was achieved on 28-Jul-2015.  A total of 302 subjects with cUTI 
(including pyelonephritis) were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of 3 treatment groups (1) 
IMI + REL (250 mg), (2) IMI + REL (125 mg), or (3) IMI alone. The primary efficacy 
endpoint was the proportion of subjects with favorable microbiological response at 
discontinuation of IV study therapy (DCIV). The primary analysis population was the 
microbiologically evaluable (ME) population.  The primary efficacy analysis indicates that 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
21
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
treatment with IMI plus either 250 mg or 125 mg of REL is at least as effective as IMI alone 
for the treatment of cUTI.  Specifically, at DCIV in the ME population, the proportion of 
subjects with a favorable microbiological response was 95.5 % (64/67) in subjects who 
received IMI + REL (250 mg), 98.6 % (70/71) in subjects who received IMI + REL (125 
mg), and 98.7 % (74/75) in subjects who received IMI + placebo. 
The incidence rate of AEs observed in subjects who received either dose of IMI + REL
(either the 125 mg or the 250 mg dose of REL) was generally comparable to that observed in 
subjects who received IMI alone. No evidence of significant renal toxicity or hepatotoxicity 
was observed.  Close monitoring for transaminase elevations was included in PN003 in the 
same fashion as in PN004.  One (1.0%) subject who received IMI + REL 250 mg, 1 (1.0%) 
subject who received IMI + REL 125 mg and 0 subjects who received IMI + placebo 
experienced ECI #1 (confirmed AST or ALT ≥ 5 X ULN). There were no statistically 
significant differences in the percentage of subjects meeting the definition of ECI #1 between 
either of the two IMI + REL groups versus the IMI + placebo group. No subjects met the 
criteria for ECI #2 (ALT or AST ≥ 3 X ULN and total bilirubin ≥ 2 X ULN and, at the same 
time, alkaline phosphatase < 2 X ULN).
Additional details regarding the Phase II clinical studies are summarized in the Investigator's 
Brochure for MK-7655A.
Ongoing Clinical Trials
4.1.2
A Phase III clinical trial of IMI/REL in HABP/VABP (PN014) was recently initiated.  
PN014 is a randomized, double-blind, active comparator-controlled clinical trial to study the 
safety, tolerability, and efficacy of IMI/REL (MK-7655A) versus piperacillin/tazobactam in 
subjects with HABP/VABP.  Approximately 536 subjects will be randomized in 1:1 ratio to 
one of the two treatment groups (1) IMI/REL (500mg/250mg) administered intravenously 
(IV) as a fixed-dose combination, (2) piperacillin/tazobactam (PIP/TAZ: 4000mg/500mg) 
administered IV as a fixed-dose combination.
Information on Other Trial-Related Therapy
4.1.3
Subjects in the comparator arm of this trial will receive colistin (in the form of CMS) and
IMI as combination therapy.
Colistin is a polymyxin antimicrobial agent active against a variety of Gram-negative 
bacteria.  Originally used clinically in the late 1950s, colistin was abandoned shortly 
thereafter due to reports of potential nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity [1, 2].  The incidence 
of neurotoxicity reported in the literature was generally less than 10%; however reports of 
nephrotoxicity were frequent and some reports suggested rates as high as 100% [3-9].  More 
recently, with the increasing emergence of significant carbapenem-resistant (CR) pathogens 
worldwide, the lack of approved antibiotics targeting these infections as well as the limited 
number of anti-infective agents in pharmaceutical development, colistin has been resurrected 
as a last-resort therapeutic agent for treatment of CR infections.  Although early experience 
with colistin resulted in a high incidence of nephrotoxicity, more recent data suggest that the 
incidence of nephrotoxicity may be significantly lower compared with this early experience 
[10-14].  While it is difficult to quantify the actual degree of expected toxicity in recent 
reports due to conflicting data associated with various definitions of renal toxicity, as well as 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
22
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
inconsistent dosages of colistin administered, the majority of studies have shown a trend 
toward lower rates (0 to 30%) than seen historically [10-14].  These data also show that most 
cases of nephrotoxicity were mild and reversible.  Recent data consistently show that 
neurotoxicity is rare [14-17].  Nephrotoxicity, regardless of the true incidence, appears to be 
more common than neurotoxicity and is the potential adverse experience of most concern to 
prescribing clinicians [1].
Colistin is available for intravenous administration as CMS, an inactive prodrug. After 
parenteral administration, CMS is metabolized to colistin. Colistin acts by binding 
phospholipids in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, causing cell wall 
destabilization and cell death.  Colistin is active against many resistant Gram-negative 
bacteria, including P. aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, K. pneumoniae, and Escherichia 
coli [18].  Activity against other bacterial isolates, such as Haemophilus influenzae, 
Salmonella species (spp.), Shigella spp., Legionella pneumophila, Aeromonas
spp., 
Citrobacter spp. and Bordetella pertussis, has also been reported [18].  Colistin is not active
against Proteus spp., Providencia spp., Burkholderia cepacia, Brucella spp., Edwardsiella
spp. or Serratia spp. [18, 19]. Gram-negative and Gram-positive aerobic cocci, Gram-
positive aerobic bacilli, and all anaerobes are resistant to colistin [19].  Colistin is currently
used in clinical situations such as in critically ill patients with CR Gram-negative infections.  
Successful treatment outcomes have been documented for various infections, including UTI,
IAI, and bronchial and lower respiratory tract infections, including both HABP and VABP 
[11-13, 20-28]. 
IMI, a potent broad spectrum β-lactam antibacterial agent from the carbapenem class, has 
been used clinically for the treatment of serious infections since 1985.  The bactericidal 
activity of imipenem results from inhibition of cell wall synthesis. Imipenem, when 
administered alone, is metabolized in the kidneys by dehydropeptidase I, resulting in 
relatively low levels in the urine.  Cilastatin (CIL) sodium is an inhibitor of this enzyme and 
effectively prevents renal metabolism of imipenem so that, when given together, full 
adequate antibacterial levels of imipenem are achieved. According to the approved package 
circular, IMI is active against a broad range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms
and is approved for use in a variety of infections, including lower respiratory tract infections, 
urinary tract infections (complicated and uncomplicated), intra-abdominal infections, 
gynecologic infections, bacterial septicemia, bone and joint infections, skin and skin structure 
infections, endocarditis, and polymicrobial infections.
The rationale for using colistin (CMS) + IMI as the comparator in this study is provided in 
Section 4.2.2.6.
Rationale
4.2
Rationale for the Trial and Selected Subject Population
4.2.1
Details regarding specific benefits and risks for subjects participating in this clinical trial may 
be found in the accompanying Investigators Brochure (IB) and Informed Consent documents.
The current epidemic of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial infections is a critical 
challenge in healthcare today. The organisms known as "ESKAPE" pathogens (Enterococcus 
faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa, and 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
23
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Enterobacter species) predominate in the resistance epidemic and have become a significant 
problem in hospital-acquired infections [29].  The ESKAPE organisms currently cause a 
substantial proportion of U.S. hospital infections and are responsible for increasing numbers 
of outbreaks in healthcare facilities around the world [30-39].  Over the last decade, the 
emergence of several highly resistant Gram-negative pathogens, including CR P. aeruginosa
and CR Enterobacteriaceae (predominantly KPC), had posed a particularly troubling, and 
escalating, global health issue [31, 40].  Multi-drug resistance (MDR) severely limits the 
utility of currently available antibiotics.  Due to the absence of effective and tolerable 
antibiotics, infections caused by CR Gram-negative organisms have a high mortality rate.  
Even with treatment using last-resort therapies such as colistin, mortality rates in critically ill 
patients with MDR pathogens, including CR pathogens, range from 16% up to as high as 
60% [12, 13, 20-26].  Thus, there is an urgent need for new, well-tolerated drugs with 
activity against these emerging antibiotic-resistant bacteria. 
Some of the most common sites of infection in patients with MDR, including CR, Gram-
negative infections are the lungs, the abdomen and the urinary tract [12, 13, 20-26]. These 
are also of the most common sites of healthcare-associated infections. This study will enroll 
patients with certain CR, Gram-negative infections (CR P. aeruginosa and KPC) at several 
prevalent infection sites, including HABP/VABP, cIAI, and cUTI. 
The study will be 
restricted to individuals meeting the appropriate diagnostic criteria for these infections (see 
Appendix 12.5) as a primary infection site.  Subjects with bloodstream infections 
(bacteremia) secondary to HABP/VABP, cIAI, or cUTI are eligible for enrollment.
Although relatively infrequent, resistance to colistin is becoming more common [18].  
Without colistin, very few treatment options remain for subjects with CR bacterial infection.  
For this reason, a third, open-label treatment arm (Treatment Group 3) has been included in 
this study for subjects with imipenem- and colistin-resistant but IMI/REL-susceptible 
infections.
The safety and efficacy of IMI + REL has been evaluated in 2 Phase II studies (PN003 in 
patients with cUTI, and PN004 in patients with cIAI) in order to establish clinical proof-of-
concept and to identify the optimal dose for REL for subsequent studies.  Infections caused 
by imipenem-resistant isolates in the Phase II studies represent a small proportion of all the 
infections, so this separate study (Protocol 013) is being conducted specifically in subjects 
with imipenem-resistant infections in order to evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of 
IMI/REL in the treatment of subjects with infections caused by imipenem-resistant bacteria.  
Subjects ≥18 years of age will be eligible for participation in this study.  Phase I data for 
subjects administered REL either alone or with IMI support use in both young and elderly 
males and females.  Although the product circular for CMS does not contain sufficient data 
in subjects ≥65 years of age to determine whether they respond differently to the drug, there 
has been extensive experience with colistin in critically ill patients, including elderly patients 
up to 98 years of age, reported in recent literature [20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 41].  Given the growing 
incidence of CR infections and the lack of effective antibiotic treatments, colistin is often the 
only antibiotic active against such Gram-negative bacteria and is frequently used in clinical 
practice without regard to advanced age.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
24
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Rationale for Dose Selection/Regimen/Modification
4.2.2
Imipenem/Relebactam (IMI/REL)
4.2.2.1
Based on data from in vivo animal models of imipenem-resistant Gram-negative infections, 
the target PK parameter for REL has been defined as a plasma AUC0-24hr following four-
times daily dosing of 150 μM*hr (or an AUC0-∞≥37.5 μM*hr following single dose 
administration).  Extensive PK/PD in vitro and in vivo modeling work, together with 
multiple-dose safety data for REL from the Phase I program, supports doses of REL
administered IV at or above 125 mg every 6 hours.  However, some preclinical microbiology 
data indicate that there are some highly resistant strains of P. aeruginosa that may require 
higher concentrations of REL.  To this end, it is appropriate to target a safe dose of REL that 
exceeds the anticipated PK target in order to appropriately cover a broader range of resistant
bacteria.  REL doses that are associated with plasma exposures exceeding the PK target of 
REL, such as 250 mg administered IV once every 6 hours, would support this evaluation.  
Both a 125 mg and 250 mg dose of REL have been evaluated in the Phase II clinical studies 
(PN003 and PN004).  In order to inform the choice of dose for the current proposed study, 
results of an interim analysis of combined safety data from PN003 and PN004 were reviewed 
by a standing internal Data Management Committee (siDMC).  The interim analysis included 
an evaluation of the safety and tolerability of the 250 mg dose of REL given in combination 
with IMI in comparison to the control regimen (IMI + placebo to REL) and in comparison to 
the 125 mg dose of IMI + REL.  The analysis was performed after 50% of planned subjects 
across PN003 and PN004 (N=331) were followed through the early follow-up visit (5 to 9 
days following completion of study therapy).  The data from the interim analysis supported 
the use of a 250 mg dose of REL with IMI.  The safety profile of the 250 mg dose is further 
supported by unblinded data from both Phase II studies (PN003 and PN004) which showed 
that the safety and tolerability profile of the 250 mg dose was similar to the 125 mg dose of 
REL as well as to IMI alone (See Section 4.1.1 for further details).  The 250 mg dose was 
selected for this study to achieve exposures above the PK target that may be required for the 
treatment of highly resistant organisms.  
As previously discussed, REL, imipenem, and CIL are primarily renally excreted, with 
similar increases observed for each analyte in a Phase I renal insufficiency study (PN005).  
Thus, dose adjustments can be made in the same proportion for both REL and IMI, and all 
can be dosed in a fixed ratio.  IMI and REL will be provided together in a single vial as a 
fixed-dose combination product in this study (IMI/REL).  Dose adjustment is required in 
subjects with renal impairment.  Depending on the individual subject’s renal function (as 
determined by actual or estimated creatinine clearance), the total daily dose of IMI/REL may 
be adjusted.  The IMI package circular also includes reduced daily doses for patients with 
lower body weight.  The total daily dose for IMI-containing therapy (IMI/REL and IMI) for 
subjects in this study will not be adjusted for weight. This approach is consistent with general 
clinical practice and other recent clinical trials using IMI as a comparator.  For example, 
clinical trials for HABP/VABP published since 2006 have administered IMI at standard 
dosages without an adjustment for weight. Efficacy rates in these trials have ranged from ~60 
to 80% without significant toxicity [42 – 45]. The few published clinical trials in which IMI
dosage was adjusted for weight describe similar efficacy and safety [46, 47].  Furthermore, 
weight is already a component of calculated creatinine clearance, used for determination of
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
25
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
renal function and need for dose adjustment, thus raising the theoretical concern of under-
dosing in subjects with low body weight.  Population PK-based simulations were conducted 
to evaluate the impact of removal of weight-based adjustments for IMI.  Results of these 
simulations indicate that in individuals of lower weight, exposures of IMI/REL are 
significantly lower than those in higher weight ranges when doses are adjusted based on 
weight, and are supportive of dose adjustments based solely on renal function, as has been 
described above in clinical practice.  Specifically, simulation results indicate that in subjects 
with normal renal function, the dose of 250 mg REL and 500 mg IMI is appropriate.  For 
subjects with mild renal insufficiency, the dose should be reduced to 200 mg REL and 400 
mg IMI, for moderate renal insufficiency 150 mg REL and 300 mg IMI, and for severe renal 
insufficiency 100 mg REL and 200 mg IMI.  The specific dosing guidelines are included in 
Section 5.2.1.1 (Table 11).
Colistin as Colistimethate Sodium (CMS) 
4.2.2.2
Colistin dosing recommendations are complicated by the use of several non-interchangeable 
units including International Units (IU), milligram (mg) of CMS and mg of colistin base 
activity (CBA).  As shown in Table 1, it has been established that there are approximately 
12,500 IU and approximately 0.4 mg CBA per 1 mg of CMS [14, 48].  The dosage of 
intravenous CMS recommended by the US manufacturer (X-Gen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) in 
the package circular is 2.5 to 5 mg/kg per day of CMS divided into 2 to 4 equal doses with a 
maximum daily dose equal to no more than 300 mg CBA (approximately 9 million IU or 720
mg CMS) [49].  Dose adjustment for renal insufficiency is recommended.  Although it is 
important to note the recommendations available in the manufacturer’s package circular, an 
evaluation of more recent data support modifications to these recommendations [50, 51].
Table 1 Approximate Dosing Units for Colistin
Colistimethate sodium
(IU)
Colistimethate sodium
(mg)
Colistin-base activity (CBA)
(mg)a
12 500
1
0.4
150 000
12
5
1 000 000
80
34
2 300 000
180
75
3 400 000
270
115
4 500 000
360
150
9 000 000
720
300
a Based on a nominal potency of the drug substance of 12,5000 IU/mg CMS or 0.424 mg CBA/mg 
CMS: both IU and mg CBA are expressions of potency and have only approximate relation to the 
mass of drug substance [48].
Colistin is available for intravenous administration as the inactive prodrug, CMS.  CMS has 
never been subjected to contemporary drug development procedures. As a result, there are 
very limited PK data available to guide appropriate CMS dose selection, especially in 
critically ill patients.  Early studies, including those used for current product labeling, utilized 
nonspecific microbiological assays.  Since CMS is not bactericidal itself, determination of
the appropriate PK target and associated dosing scheme
must include an accurate 
measurement of its active moiety, colistin.  CMS is relatively unstable and is readily 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
26
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
converted to colistin at low concentrations in plasma and urine, and differentiation of colistin 
present in biological samples at the time of collection from that formed from CMS in vitro
during the incubation phase of microbiological assays is essential [51].  Early assays were 
not able to differentiate between colistin and CMS converted in vitro [14].  Therefore, current 
dosing guidelines are not based on complete PK/PD data and, as a result, have led to 
treatment failure, as well as emergence of resistance to colistin [14, 52, 53].
Understanding the PK/PD relationship of colistin has been an area of considerable research 
in recent years [1, 50 – 57].  In fact, a recent clinical PK study in 105 critically ill patients 
developed the first evidence-based guidelines for dosing CMS to achieve a desired target 
steady state plasma concentration of formed colistin in patients with varying degrees of renal 
function [50].  In this large PK study, a population PK model was developed that indicated 
that creatinine clearance and body weight are significant covariates on the PK of CMS and 
colistin.  Population PK based simulations were used to derive suggested loading and 
maintenance dosing regimens for patients of varying weight and renal function, including 
those on hemodialysis and continuous renal replacement, in order to obtain average target 
concentrations at steady state of 2.5 mg/L.  This model serves as the basis of dosing 
instructions in this study (see Table 12, Section 5.2.1.1), with minor adjustments made to the 
proposed schema including a constant (rather than weight-based) loading dose given to 
patients of varying weights and creatinine clearance.  Specifically, simulations of a constant 
loading dose of 300 mg of CBA (~9 million IU or 720 mg CMS) for patients of varying 
weights and renal function indicate that the PK target is achieved more quickly and there is 
less variation among individuals in colistin PK.  These simulations also indicate that as renal 
function increases, steady state is achieved more slowly following a loading dose.  If 
maintenance dosing is initiated after 12 hours, rather than 24 hours, steady state is essentially 
achieved immediately following the loading dose. Based on these results, the published 
dosing scheme [50] has been modified to incorporate these changes (see Table 12, Section 
5.2.1.1).  As both recommended in the published model-based recommendations [50] and the 
package circular, regardless of renal function, with the exception of the first 24 hours of 
therapy, subjects will not be administered more than the maximum total daily dose of 300 mg 
CBA (~ 9 million IU or 720 mg CMS).
It is recognized that concerns for potential 
nephrotoxicity by colistin may limit the total daily amount of CMS that can be administered.  
However, data suggest that kidney damage is associated with total cumulative dose and the 
duration of CMS therapy [58].  Given that initial therapy is likely critical to rapid clearance 
of the infection and thus potentially shorter duration of therapy, an initial 24-hour period of 
exposure to doses exceeding the package circular recommendations will be beneficial to the 
success of therapy, and hence the efficacy of the treatment.
Imipenem/Cilastatin
4.2.2.3
IMI will be provided as combination therapy with CMS, as a separate infusion.  For 
treatment in severe, life-threatening infections caused by moderately susceptible organisms, a
3- to 4-gram daily dose is recommended for IMI monotherapy.  While the infections in this 
study are anticipated to be serious, imipenem-resistant organisms are the target pathogens for 
this study and there is no recommended dosing regimen for resistant organisms, since IMI 
would not be used as monotherapy for imipenem-resistant organisms. IMI is not being used 
as the primary treatment modality in this study and has been added as part of a combination 
regimen with CMS (Note: additional discussion regarding rationale for combination therapy 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
27
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
of CMS + IMI is included in Section 4.2.2.6).  Furthermore, prior to study entry, in vitro
susceptibility results must show confirmed susceptibility of the pathogens to colistin.  For 
these reasons, as well as in an effort to support blinding feasibility as well as a 
straightforward safety and efficacy evaluations, the chosen dose for IMI in this study is 500 
mg, administered IV once every 6 hours (i.e., 2 gram total daily dose).  
The dosage of IMI will be adjusted in patients with renal impairment.  Depending on the 
individual subject’s renal function (as determined by actual or estimated creatinine 
clearance), the total daily dose of IMI may be adjusted.  As previously discussed (See 
Section 4.2.2.1), adjustments for body weight will not be made. Specific dosing guidelines 
for IMI are included in Section 5.2.1.1, Table 11. 
Placebo
4.2.2.4
In this study, all study subjects will receive active antimicrobial therapy (IMI/REL vs. CMS
+ IMI).  IMI/REL will be provided together in a single vial as a fixed-dose combination 
product; therefore, subjects in Treatment Group 1 will be assigned to receive a single 
infusion of active product at one time compared with subjects in Treatment Group 2 who 
could receive as many as 2 active-product infusions at a time.  Placebo to CMS will be 
utilized in Treatment Group 1 so that all subjects will receive the same number of infusions 
in order to maintain the study blind (see Figure 2, Section 5.2.2).  Based on the dosing 
scheme for CMS, subjects in Treatment Group 1 will receive a placebo-matching infusion. 
Due to a slight difference in the appearance of CMS solution for infusion and the placebo
infusion, the infusion bags will be covered in an opaque sleeve by an Unblinded Study 
Pharmacist (or qualified designee) to ensure that other study personnel and all subjects
remain blinded to clinical material assignment. The intravenous line (through which the 
infusion is administered) does not require opaque covering as the differences between the 
clinical materials are not visually distinguishable within the tubing. Study supplies will be 
provided in an open-label fashion to the sites; hence, an Unblinded Study Pharmacist (or 
qualified designee) at the study site will be responsible for preparing the IV study therapy for 
this study; this individual(s) will not be involved in any safety or efficacy evaluations of the 
study participants.  
Additional details for preparation and administration of all study drugs, including appropriate 
diluents for reconstitution of all study therapies are provided in a separate Pharmacy Manual.
Duration of Therapy
4.2.2.5
IV study therapy will be administered for a minimum of either 5 (cIAI and cUTI) or 7 
(HABP/VABP) days up to a maximum of 21 days.  Duration of study therapy longer than 21 
days must be approved by the Sponsor. MDR, including CR, infections are treated for a 
wide range of treatment durations.  The recommended duration of treatment for CR
infections is customarily based on the site of infection and physician assessment of the 
patient’s clinical condition.  Based on a review of several retrospective studies, treatment 
duration of colistin for CR infections ranged from 3 to 46 days with an approximate average 
of 2 weeks [20, 21, 23-25].  The current data for REL support up to 1 month of 
administration; REL was studied for toxicity in monkeys and in rats for up to 3 months with 
acceptable results.  Current clinical practice guidelines suggest limiting treatment of infection 
types included in this study to less than 3 weeks; guidelines published by the Infectious 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
28
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Diseases Society of America (IDSA) recommend limiting treatment of catheter-associated 
UTI to less than 2 weeks, limiting treatment of cIAI to less than 1 week for most infections, 
and limiting treatment of HABP/VABP to as little as 1 week [59 – 62].
Although most 
treatment guidelines suggest shorter courses of therapy, based on preclinical data supporting 
longer treatment durations and the clinical complexity of subjects in the study, the present 
study permits up to 21 days of study therapy for subjects who may require extended 
durations of treatment (e.g., those with suppressed immunity) and permits durations of 
treatment longer than 21 days with approval from the Sponsor.
Refer to the Investigator’s Brochure (IB) for more detailed information on preclinical toxicity 
studies MK-7655A.
Rationale for Choice of Comparator
4.2.2.6
In this study, approximately 54 subjects will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive IMI/REL
(Treatment Group 1) or CMS + IMI (Treatment Group 2), with ~36 subjects in Treatment 
Group 1 and ~18 subjects to Treatment Group 2.  The sample size of Protocol 013 is small in 
order to minimize the duration of enrollment in this challenging study, thereby making the 
data on the use of IMI/REL in subjects with unmet medical need available more quickly. 
Given the small sample size, the number of subjects receiving a controlled comparator 
regimen within Protocol 013 has been limited by utilizing a disproportionate randomization 
scheme.  Enrolling the majority of subjects to receive treatment with IMI/REL will maximize 
experience with IMI/REL.
Severe hospital-acquired infections due to CR Gram-negative bacteria are associated with 
high morbidity and mortality.  The increasing incidence of CR infections and the lack of 
effective antibiotics have resulted in the use of colistin as a “salvage” antibiotic, essentially 
making colistin one of a few treatment options in critically ill patients infected with CR 
Gram-negative bacteria.  Given its common use and relative treatment success in the target 
population for this current study, colistin (as CMS) is an appropriate comparator for 
evaluation of IMI/REL.
Although subjects infected with imipenem-resistant bacteria are the target population for this 
study, the combination of CMS with IMI was chosen as the comparator regimen for several 
reasons:

Although colistin is commonly used in clinical practice today, the original 
development of colistin occurred prior to institution of the current standardized 
rigorous drug development procedures. As a result, there is a relative lack of 
pharmacological information to maximize antibacterial activity and minimize
development of resistance and toxicity.  Recent data suggest that the recommended 
dosage of colistin likely leads to suboptimal efficacy, particularly in certain patient 
subgroups [14, 53, 54].  Results of a recent large PK study demonstrated that, even at 
the maximum daily dose recommended in the package circular, it is not possible to 
reach adequate plasma concentrations of formed colistin, especially in patients with 
healthy renal function [50].  Given these results, it has been suggested that colistin 
might best be used as part of a highly active combination.  
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
29
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 

In recent years, there have been worldwide reports of emergence of resistant bacteria 
during colistin monotherapy [63, 53, 30, 64, 65].  Combination therapy may reduce 
the potential outgrowth of hetero-resistant subpopulations of bacteria.

Colistin causes an incompletely understood ‘detergent’ effect on the cell wall, 
resulting in increased cell permeability and potentially allowing for increased ability 
of other drugs to reach their antibacterial target [19].   In vitro studies have 
demonstrated a synergistic effect of colistin in combination with other antibacterial 
therapies, including carbapenems [66 – 68].

Although robust controlled clinical studies are still needed to evaluate the effect of 
combination therapy, multiple recent studies have demonstrated improved efficacy 
due to combination therapy in the treatment of CR infections [12, 20, 22, 69, 70, 71].  
In summary, combination therapy of colistin plus a carbapenem (such as IMI) will likely 
provide improved clinical success due to an expected increased bactericidal effect, and will 
likely limit potential toxicity by ensuring administration of maximum daily maintenance 
doses within the limits specified by manufacturer.
The carbapenem IMI is among the drugs of choice for treatment of severe nosocomial 
infections in critically ill patients [72].  Additionally, IMI is active against a wide range of 
Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms, including both anaerobes and aerobes, thus 
providing broad-spectrum coverage.  Consequently, carbapenems are often administered in 
clinical practice as part of a combination regimen with CMS in patients with CR infection 
[12, 20, 22].  Furthermore, the use of IMI in this study as the active co-comparator will allow 
for a straightforward evaluation of the efficacy and safety of REL as compared to colistin, as 
all patients in the study will receive the same β-lactam as background therapy.
Rationale for Endpoints
4.2.3
Efficacy Endpoints
4.2.3.1
For evaluation of the primary and secondary analyses, response to IMI/REL and to 
CMS+IMI will be based only on randomized subjects (i.e., those enrolled into Treatment 
Group 1 and Treatment Group 2).
The primary efficacy endpoint of the study is overall response.  As the efficacy in clinical 
studies is typically measured differently for different infection types, overall response will be 
estimated based on the following:  (a) all-cause mortality through Day 28 post-randomization 
in subjects with HABP/VABP, (b) clinical response at Day 28 post-randomization for 
subjects with cIAI and (c) the composite clinical and microbiological response at EFU (Day 
5 to 9 following completion of therapy) for subjects with cUTI.  Evaluation of the overall 
response will allow for a summary of REL efficacy utilizing a combination of responses that 
are relevant for each infection type.  In addition, each of these chosen endpoints for these 
3 infection types are supported in United States FDA Guidance for Industry.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
30
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
There are two key secondary measurements for efficacy in this study:

Clinical response at 28 days following initiation of IV study therapy (through Day 28 
post-randomization):  Evaluation of clinical response at a fixed timepoint for all 
subjects, regardless of infection type, will allow for comparison at a consistent 
timepoint across the entire study population.  In addition, since the maximum 
duration of IV study therapy is 21 days, unless a longer duration is approved by the 
Sponsor, subjects will be evaluated after completion of IV study therapy, thereby
allowing an assessment of clinical response at least one week following cessation of 
therapy in a majority of subjects.

All-cause mortality within 28 days after initiation of study therapy (through Day 28 
post-randomization):  Given the severity of illness in hospitalized patients who 
acquire CR bacterial infections, have failed prior antibiotic treatments, and routinely
require in-hospital treatment with IV antibiotics, evaluation of mortality is 
appropriate.  A one-month mortality endpoint has commonly been used for 
evaluation of efficacy of antibacterial therapy against CR infections [12, 21, 23, 26].
Several additional secondary efficacy endpoints will be evaluated:

Clinical response will be estimated at various other timepoints during the trial,
including at OTX, EOT and EFU. Evaluation of clinical response at these timepoints 
will provide valuable data to fully characterize the response profile of the test product 
relative to the comparator.  

Microbiological response in subjects with cUTI will be evaluated at OTX, EOT and 
at EFU.  Microbiological response will be measured in subjects with cUTI only since 
appropriate specimens (i.e., urine) can be feasibly and consistently collected at each 
of the endpoint visits throughout the study.  Collection of lung and/or intra-abdominal 
specimens at all study visits may not be medically appropriate for all subjects, thus 
making it difficult to measure an overall microbiological response in subjects with 
these infections.
In addition, since there will likely be differences in clinical outcome of the various infection 
types being studied, as well as the potential for significant differences in duration of IV study 
therapy for each of these infection types, clinical response by infection type will be evaluated 
at EOT as an exploratory endpoint in randomized subjects.  Other exploratory endpoints in 
this study include clinical and microbiological response by pathogen in randomized subjects, 
PK/PD evaluation for all subjects, and an assessment of the emergence of resistance to 
IMI/REL and to colistin during study therapy in randomized subjects.
Clinical response at all endpoint visits and microbiological response (cUTI) at OTX, EOT 
and EFU in Treatment Group 3 subjects will also be summarized as exploratory efficacy 
endpoints. 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
31
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
4.2.3.1.1 Definition of Efficacy Endpoints
Overall Response
4.2.3.1.1.1
The overall response will be estimated based on the following:  (a) survival (based upon all-
cause mortality) through Day 28 post-randomization in subjects with HABP/VABP, (b) 
clinical response at Day 28 post-randomization for subjects with cIAI and (c) the composite 
clinical and microbiological response at EFU for subjects with cUTI. Overall response will 
be determined by summarizing the proportion of subjects who survive through Day 28 post-
randomization (HABP/VABP), or have a “favorable” clinical (cIAI) or “favorable” 
composite microbiological and clinical (cUTI) response.  
A favorable response is defined differently for each infection type, and these definitions will 
be combined to provide an estimate of favorable overall response (See Table 2 for a 
description of the components of the overall response).  The definitions for the relevant 
response types that contribute to overall response are included in each of the referenced
sections describing survival/all-cause mortality assessment (Section 4.2.3.1.1.1.1), clinical 
response (Section 4.2.3.1.1.1.2) and microbiological response (Section 4.2.3.1.1.1.3). Details 
regarding determination of microbiological and clinical response (“favorable” or 
“unfavorable”) in support of evaluation of overall response at Day 28 post-randomization are 
provided in Section 8.2.
Table 2  Description of Individual Infection Site Responses Supporting Determination of 
Favorable Overall Response (Primary Endpoint)
Infection Site
Type of Response
(Timing)
Favorable Response
Reference 
(Section/Table #) for 
Definition of Response
HABP/VABP
Survival/All-Cause 
Mortality (Day 28)
Survival at Day 28
Section 4.2.3.1.1.1.1
cIAI
Clinical Response
(Day 28)
Sustained cure 
Cure
Section 4.2.3.1.1.1.2
Table 5
cUTI
Composite Clinical  
(EFU) and 
Microbiological 
Response (EFU)
Clinical Response:
Sustained cure 
Cure
Microbiological Response:
Sustained eradication
Clinical Response:
Section 4.2.3.1.1.1.2
Table 5
Microbiological 
Response:
Section 4.2.3.1.1.1.3
Table 8
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
32
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
4.2.3.1.1.1.1 Survival/All-Cause Mortality
Survival status (i.e., whether the subject is alive or dead) at Day 28 will be evaluated for all 
subjects.  In support of the primary objective of overall response, survival will be specifically 
determined in subjects with HABP/VABP.  In addition, the key secondary efficacy endpoint 
will be based on an all-cause mortality evaluation in all subjects, regardless of primary 
infection site, at Day 28 following randomization.
4.2.3.1.1.1.2
Clinical Response
In support of evaluation of both the primary endpoint (i.e., overall response), as well as 
secondary and exploratory endpoints for the study, efficacy assessments will include 
evaluation of clinical response.  Clinical response will be assessed for all subjects based on 
evaluation by the investigator at the OTX, EOT, EFU and Day 28 post-randomization visits.  
Based on comparison to baseline clinical signs and symptoms of the subject’s infection(s), 
the investigator will determine the clinical response rating (and record the response on the
appropriate eCRF) at each visit as described in Table 3 (for OTX visit), Table 4 (for EOT 
visit) and Table 5 (for EFU and Day 28 visits).  
In support of evaluation of efficacy endpoints that include clinical response (i.e., overall 
response and clinical response), the clinical response rating determined by the investigator at 
each visit will be categorized as “favorable” or “unfavorable”.  Details regarding 
determination of the category of clinical response (“favorable” or “unfavorable”) in support 
of relevant study endpoints are provided in the tables describing clinical response as well as 
Section 8.2.
Table 3  Definitions of the Clinical Response Rating at the OTX Visit (Day 3)
Clinical Responsea
Response Definition
Improved
All or most pretherapy signs and symptomsb of the index infection(s) have 
improved or resolved (or returned to "preinfection status") AND, for cIAI 
subjects, no unplanned surgical procedures or percutaneous drainage procedures
have been performed.
Persistence
Little apparent response to IV study therapy in prestudy signs and symptomsb of 
the index infection(s): persistence of most or all pretherapy signs and symptoms.
Progression
No apparent response to IV study therapy in prestudy signs and symptomsb of the 
index infection(s): progression/worsening of most or all pretherapy signs and 
symptoms.
Indeterminate
Study data are not available for evaluation of clinical response for any reasons at 
the OTX visit, including:  
a)
Complication related to underlying medical condition; OR
b)
Subject was withdrawn for any reason before sufficient data had been 
obtained to permit evaluation for any reason; OR
c)
Extenuating 
circumstances 
preclude 
classification 
as 
"improved,"
"persistence,” or “progression;” OR
d)
Death occurred during the study period and the index infection was clearly 
noncontributory.
a A favorable clinical response at OTX requires an assessment of “improved”.
b Refer to Table 13 for a description of disease-specific clinical signs and symptoms.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
33
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Table 4 Definitions of the Clinical Response Rating at the EOT Visit 
Clinical Responsea
Response Definition
Cure
All pretherapy signs and symptomsb of the index infection(s) have resolved (or 
returned to "preinfection status") AND no additional IV antibiotic therapy is 
required, AND, for cIAI subjects, no unplanned surgical procedures or 
percutaneous drainage procedures have been performed.
Improved
All or most pretherapy signs and symptomsb of the index infection(s) have 
improved or resolved (or returned to "preinfection status") AND no additional IV 
antibiotic therapy is required, AND, for cIAI subjects, no unplanned surgical 
procedures or percutaneous drainage procedures have been performed.
Failure
No apparent response to IV study therapy in prestudy signs and symptomsb of the 
index infection(s): persistence or progression of most or all pretherapy signs and 
symptoms.
Indeterminate
Study data are not available for evaluation of clinical response for any reasons at 
the EOT visit, including:  
a)
Complication related to underlying medical condition; OR
b)
Subject was withdrawn for any reason before sufficient data had been 
obtained to permit evaluation for any reason; OR
c)
Extenuating circumstances preclude classification as "cure," "improved," or 
"failure;" OR
d)
Death occurred during the study period and the index infection was clearly 
noncontributory.
a A favorable clinical response at EOT requires an assessment of “cure” or “improved”.
b Refer to Table 13 for a description of disease-specific clinical signs and symptoms.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
34
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Table 5
Definitions of the Clinical Response Rating at the EFU and Day 28 Post-
Randomization Visit 
Clinical Responsea
Response Definition
Sustained Cure
All pretherapy signs and symptomsb of the index infection(s) have resolved (or 
returned to "preinfection status") with no evidence of resurgence AND no additional 
antibiotic therapy (beyond IV study therapy) was required, AND, for cIAI subjects, 
no unplanned surgical procedures or percutaneous drainage procedures have been 
performed.
Cure
All pretherapy signs and symptomsb of the index infection(s) have resolved (or 
returned to "preinfection status") AND no additional IV antibiotic therapy is 
required, AND, for cIAI subjects, no unplanned surgical procedures or percutaneous 
drainage procedures have been performed.
Failure
No apparent or insufficient response to IV study therapy in prestudy signs and 
symptoms of the index infection(s): persistence, progression, or improvement 
(without full resolution) of all pretherapy signs and symptomsc
Relapse
Subjects with a favorable clinical response (cure or improved) at the EOT visit have 
worsening signs and symptomsb of the index infection(s) by the EFU or Day 28 post-
therapy visit.
Indeterminate
Study data are not available for evaluation of efficacy for any reasons, including:  
a)
Complication related to underlying medical condition; OR
b)
Subject was withdrawn for any reason before sufficient data had been obtained 
to permit evaluation of clinical response; OR
c)
Extenuating circumstances preclude classification as "sustained cure," "failure,"
or "relapse;" OR
d)
Death occurred during the study period and the index infection was clearly 
noncontributory.
a
A favorable clinical response at EFU or Day 28 post-randomization requires an assessment of “cure” or “sustained cure”.  
To be considered “sustained cure”, the clinical response for the prior visit must have been considered “cure”.  A clinical 
response of “cure” is only relevant at EFU for subjects with a response of “improved” at EOT.
b
Refer to Table 13 for a description of disease-specific clinical signs and symptoms.
4.2.3.1.1.1.3 Microbiological Response
In addition to clinical response assessments, subjects with cUTI will be evaluated for 
microbiological response. Microbiological response will be evaluated separately for each
qualifying baseline uropathogen.  For randomized subjects, a qualifying pathogen is defined 
as any Gram-negative baseline pathogens that are imipenem-resistant, IMI/REL-susceptible, 
and colistin-susceptible. For subjects enrolled in Treatment Group 3, a qualifying pathogen is 
defined as any Gram-negative baseline pathogens that are imipenem-resistant and colistin-
resistant, but IMI/REL-susceptible.  The by-pathogen response rating will be determined by 
the Sponsor. The by-pathogen microbiological response rating will be determined at the 
OTX, EOT, and EFU visits based on local laboratory results (per eCRF data provided by the 
investigator) from urine cultures collected at each of these visits relative to the pathogen(s) 
isolated at baseline/admission, as described in Table 6 (for the OTX visit), Table 7 (for the 
EOT visit) and Table 8 (for the EFU visit).  Of note, microbiological samples are not 
collected at the Day 28 post-randomization visit.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
35
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Antibiotic susceptibility results as well as microbiological response will be summarized by 
qualifying pathogen.  In support of evaluation of efficacy endpoints that include 
microbiological response (i.e., microbiological response and overall response), the by-
pathogen microbiological response rating will be utilized to categorize the overall 
microbiological response (i.e., overall microbiological response for the subject based on the 
response of all qualifying uropathogens present in the baseline culture) as “favorable” or 
“unfavorable.”  For subjects from whom only one qualifying pathogen is isolated, the overall 
microbiological response assessment will be based on the microbiological response rating for 
that pathogen.  For subjects from whom more than one qualifying baseline pathogen is 
isolated, the overall microbiological response outcome will be based on microbiological 
culture results for all qualifying baseline pathogens.
Details regarding determination of the category of overall microbiological response outcome
(“favorable” or “unfavorable”) in support of relevant study endpoints are provided in the 
tables describing microbiological response as well as in Section 8.2.
Table 6 Definitions of the By-Pathogen Microbiological Response Rating at the OTX Visit
(Day 3)
Microbiological 
Responsea,b,c
Response Definition
Eradication
A urine culture taken at the OTX visit shows eradication of the uropathogen 
(e.g., ≥105 CFU/mL is reduced to <104 CFU/mL) found at study entry.
Persistenced
A urine culture taken at the OTX visit grows a uropathogen (at ≥104 CFU/mL) 
found at study entry. 
Superinfection
A urine culture at the OTX visit grows a uropathogen (at ≥105 CFU/mL) other 
than a baseline pathogen during the course of IV study therapy OR emergence
during IV study therapy of a new pathogen at a distant (non-urine), sterile site 
along with worsening signs and symptoms of infection.
Indeterminate
a)
Follow-up urine culture is not available at the OTX visit due to subject 
death or withdrawal from study; OR
b)
Microbiological data are incomplete; OR
c)
Assessment not possible due to protocol violation;  OR
d)
Any other circumstance which makes it impossible to define the 
microbiological response
a
A microbiological response rating will be determined separately for each qualifying pathogen isolated at baseline.
b
If a new/emergent pathogen is identified after initiation of IV therapy which was not identified at baseline, regardless of 
susceptibility profile, the microbiological response rating for the new pathogen will be considered “superinfection”.
c
A favorable overall microbiological response at OTX requires “eradication” of all baseline pathogens. 
d
If a subject is discontinued from IV study therapy due to clinical failure (i.e., unfavorable clinical response), but 
persistence of the admission pathogen is not confirmed by culture results or no culture is obtained at the time of clinical 
failure, the admission pathogen will be presumed to have persisted.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
36
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Table 7  Definitions of the By-Pathogen Microbiological Response Rating at the EOT Visit
Microbiological 
Responsea,b,c
Response Definition
Sustained eradicationd
A urine culture taken at the EOT visitc still shows eradication of the uropathogen 
(e.g., ≥105 CFU/mL is reduced to <104 CFU/mL) found at study entry.
Eradicatione
A urine culture taken at the EOT visitc shows eradication of the uropathogen 
(e.g., ≥105 CFU/mL is reduced to <104 CFU/mL) found at study entry.
Persistencef
A urine culture taken at the EOT visitg grows a uropathogen (at ≥104 CFU/mL) 
found at study entry.
Superinfection
An infection-site culture grows a uropathogen (at ≥105 CFU/mL) other than a 
baseline pathogen during the course of IV study therapy OR emergence during 
IV study therapy of a new pathogen at a distant (non-urine), sterile site along 
with worsening signs and symptoms of infection.
Indeterminate
a)
Follow-up urine culture is not available at the EOT visitc due to subject 
death or withdrawal from study; OR
b)
Microbiological data are incomplete; OR
c)
Assessment not possible due to protocol violation;  OR
d)
Any other circumstance which makes it impossible to define the 
microbiological response
a
A microbiological response rating will be determined separately for each qualifying pathogen isolated at baseline.
b
If a new/emergent pathogen is identified after initiation of IV therapy which was not identified at baseline, regardless of 
susceptibility profile, the microbiological response rating for the new pathogen will be considered “superinfection”.
c
A favorable overall microbiological response at EOT requires “eradication” or “sustained eradication” of all baseline 
pathogens.
d
A microbiological response of “sustained eradication” at EOT is used when the microbiological response assessment at 
OTX visit was also “eradication”.
e
A microbiological response of “eradication” at EOT is used when this is the first time that microbiological response 
assessment is “eradication (i.e., OTX visit microbiological response assessment was not “eradication”).
f
If a subject is discontinued from IV study therapy due to clinical failure (i.e., unfavorable clinical response), but 
persistence of the admission pathogen is not confirmed by culture results or no culture is obtained at the time of clinical 
failure, the admission pathogen will be presumed to have persisted.
g
If a culture is not available at EOT, an assessment at this visit can be made from the last available urine culture which 
was collected after at least 48 hours of IV study therapy.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
37
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Table 8 Definitions of the By-Pathogen Microbiological Response at the EFU Visit
Microbiological 
Responsea,b,c
Response Definition
Sustained eradicationd
A urine culture taken at the EFU visit still shows eradication of the uropathogen 
(e.g., ≥105 CFU/mL is reduced to <104 CFU/mL) found at study entry.
Persistence
A urine culture taken at the EFU visit grows a uropathogen (at ≥104 CFU/mL) 
found at study entry.
New Infection
A uropathogen, other than a microorganism found at baseline is present in the 
urine (at a level ≥105 CFU/mL) any time after IV study therapy is finished; OR
A pathogen is isolated from a distant (non-urine), sterile after IV study therapy 
has been completed.
Recurrence
A urine grows a uropathogen (at a level ≥105 CFU/mL) taken any time after 
documented eradication. 
Indeterminate
a)
Follow-up urine culture is not available at the EFU visit due to subject death 
or withdrawal from study; OR
b)
Microbiological data are incomplete; OR
c)
Assessment not possible due to protocol violation;  OR
d)
Any other circumstance which makes it impossible to define the 
microbiological response
a
A microbiological response rating will be determined separately for each qualifying pathogen isolated at baseline.
b
If a new/emergent pathogen is identified after EOT which was not identified at baseline, regardless of susceptibility 
profile, the microbiological response rating for the new pathogen will be considered “new infection”.
c.
A favorable overall microbiological response at EFU visit requires “sustained eradication” of all baseline pathogens.
d
A microbiological response of “sustained eradication” at EFU is used when the microbiological response assessment at 
EOT visit is also “eradication”.
Safety Endpoints
4.2.3.2
In support of the primary objective to evaluate the safety and tolerability profile of IMI/REL, 
the safety and tolerability of IMI/REL (as well as the safety of the comparator, CMS + IMI) 
will be assessed by clinical evaluation of adverse experiences and inspection of other study 
parameters including vital signs, physical examinations, and standard laboratory safety tests 
at time points specified in the Trial Flow Chart.  Adverse experiences are graded and 
recorded according to Section 7.2.  Subjects may be asked to return for unscheduled visits in 
order to perform additional safety monitoring.  
In addition, due to concern for potential renal toxicity of colistin, the relative rates of 
nephrotoxicity of IMI/REL and CMS + IMI will be evaluated as a secondary endpoint in this 
study.  Evaluation of potential nephrotoxicity will be performed based on laboratory test 
results from blood samples.  
As discussed in Section 4.1.3, the reported incidence of nephrotoxicity associated with
colistin administration is variable.  In addition to the lack of a standard dosing algorithm for 
colistin, a major difficulty in determining the true incidence of nephrotoxicity associated with 
intravenous colistin therapy is the absence of a standardized and consistently applied
definition of nephrotoxicity.  In this study, the definition of nephrotoxicity will be based on
alterations in baseline serum creatinine and renal function as described in Table 9.  Serum 
creatinine level as well as creatinine clearance are commonly used in clinical practice to 
measure renal function.  In addition, there is evidence that changes in serum creatinine are 
associated with an increase in short-term morbidity and even mortality, thus making serum 
creatinine an appropriate marker for measuring acute kidney injury [73].  Changes in 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
38
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
creatinine and renal function have frequently been used in the literature to describe colistin-
associated nephrotoxicity [13, 17, 21-23, 26, 74, 75, 76].  
Table 9 Criteria for Defining Nephrotoxicity
Baseline Renal Function 
Category
Baseline Serum Creatinine 
Level
Definition of Nephrotoxicity
Normal
<1.2 mg/dL
Doubling of serum creatinine (to >1.2 
mg/dL), OR
Reduction in the calculated creatinine 
clearancea (CLCr) of ≥50%. 
Pre-Existing Renal 
Dysfunction
≥1.2 mg/dL
Increase in serum creatinine by ≥1 mg/dL, 
OR
Reduction from baseline in calculated 
CLCr
a of ≥20%, OR Need for RRT. 
RRT= Renal replacement therapy
a Calculated from serum creatinine using the equation provided in Section 5.2.1.1.
Pharmacokinetic Endpoints
4.2.3.3
At the timepoints specified in the Trial Flow Chart (Section 6.0), whole blood samples will 
be collected for determination of plasma concentration of REL, imipenem, and CIL.  These 
samples will support further evaluation of the PK profiles of these drugs by confirming that 
subjects achieve expected exposures, and will also aid in further assessment of the clinical 
relationship between REL plasma concentrations and efficacy against resistant isolates.
Future Biomedical Research
4.2.3.4
The Sponsor will conduct Future Biomedical Research on DNA (blood) specimens collected 
during this clinical trial.  Importantly, a subject may participate in the main trial without 
participating in Future Biomedical Research portion of this study.
Such research is for biomarker testing to address emergent questions not described elsewhere 
in the protocol (as part of the main trial) and will only be conducted on specimens from 
appropriately consented subjects. The objective of collecting specimens for Future 
Biomedical Research is to explore and identify biomarkers that inform the scientific 
understanding of diseases and/or their therapeutic treatments. For instance, exploratory 
pharmacogenetic 
(PGt) 
studies 
may 
be 
performed 
if 
significant 
Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) relationships are observed or adverse events 
are identified.  Genomic markers of disease may also be investigated.  Such retrospective 
pharmacogenetic studies will be conducted with appropriate biostatistical design and analysis 
and compared to PK/PD results or clinical outcomes. Any significant PGt relationships to 
outcome would require validation in future clinical trials. The overarching goal is to use such 
information to develop safer, more effective drugs/vaccines, and/or to ensure that subjects 
receive the correct dose of the correct drug/vaccine at the correct time.  The details of this 
Future Biomedical Research sub-trial are presented in Section 12.2 - Collection and 
Management of Specimens for Future Biomedical Research.  Additional informational 
material for institutional review boards/ethics committees (IRBs/ERCs) and investigational 
site staff is provided in Section 12.3.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
39
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Benefit/Risk
4.3
Subjects enrolled in this trial are generally hospitalized patients with multi-drug resistant 
infections requiring treatment with IV therapy.  As discussed in Section 4.2, available 
treatment options for patients infected with resistant pathogens are limited. If randomized to 
receive IMI/REL, subjects can potentially benefit from treatment with this investigational 
agent specifically targeted for treatment of Gram-negative imipenem-resistant infections.  
Subjects randomized to the comparator arm will also receive a treatment regimen expected to 
be efficacious against these infections (see Section 4.2.2.6).  Regardless of treatment 
assignment, the study has been designed to support prompt receipt of appropriate therapy for 
all eligible subjects.  Typical treatment of hospitalized patients with any bacterial infection is 
decided based on in vitro susceptibility of pathogens isolated from an infection-site 
specimen. In order to support timely initiation of effective study therapy and thus reduce risk 
of treatment failure, in vitro susceptibility results confirming susceptibility for both the 
investigational and comparator agents in this trial is required prior to randomization.  The 
Sponsor will provide susceptibility panels to all investigator sites to support this testing.
Although potentially more frequent than standard of care, the study procedures described in 
Section 6.0 (Trial Flow Chart) are generally typical procedures performed for this 
hospitalized patient population. Additional burden may be incurred due to visits following 
release from the hospital.  However, the procedures performed at these visits are generally 
not likely to lead to significant harm (e.g., blood draws, urine collection, physical exam, vital 
signs).  These procedures are necessary to support a robust evaluation of the safety and 
efficacy of the investigational drug with potential to support treatment of patients for whom 
no or limited alternative therapies are available.
Additional details regarding specific benefits and risks for subjects participating in this 
clinical trial may be found in the accompanying Investigators Brochure (IB) and Informed 
Consent documents.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
40
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
5.0 METHODOLOGY
Entry Criteria
5.1
Diagnosis/Condition for Entry into the Trial
5.1.1
Male and female subjects who are at least 18 years of age and have an imipenem-resistant 
Gram-negative bacterial infection involving one of 3 primary infection types (HABP/VABP, 
cIAI, or cUTI) will be enrolled in this trial.
Subject Inclusion Criteria
5.1.2
Treatment Groups 1 and 2
5.1.2.1
In order to be eligible for participation in this trial, the subject must:
1.
be ≥ 18 years of age on the day of signing informed consent at the randomization 
visit.
NOTE: Adults are the intended study population for this protocol.  Subjects under the 
age of legal consent per a specific country's regulations should be excluded from 
participation in this study
2. require hospitalization and treatment with IV antibiotic therapy for a new, persistent 
(defined as inadequate response to current therapy or failure to improve as expected)  
or progressing (defined as clinically worsening despite treatment) bacterial infection 
with at least one of the following primary infection types:

Hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia (HABP) or ventilator-associated bacterial 
pneumonia (VABP)

Complicated intra-abdominal infection (cIAI)

Complicated urinary tract infection (cUTI) 
NOTE:  Diagnostic criteria, including relevant radiographic, clinical and 
microbiological evidence, for each infection type are in Appendix 12.5.  
3. has positive culture data obtained from the primary infection-site specimen collected 
within 1 week of study entry and at least one of the suspected causative pathogen(s) 
from that specimen meets all of the following criteria:
a.
has been identified as a Gram-negative bacterium, AND
b. has culture-confirmed imipenem resistance (MIC of isolate is above the 
imipenem-susceptible breakpoint) based on panels provided by the Sponsor, 
AND
c.
has culture-confirmed susceptibility to colistin (MIC of isolate is at or below 
the colistin-susceptible breakpoint) and to IMI/REL (MIC of isolate is at or 
below the imipenem-susceptible breakpoint) based on panels provided by the 
Sponsor.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
41
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
4. agree to allow any bacterial isolates obtained from protocol-required specimens 
related to the current infection to be provided the Central Microbiology Reference 
Laboratory for study-related microbiological testing, long-term storage, and other 
future testing.
5. understand (or have a legal representative that understands) the study procedures, 
alternative treatments available, and risks involved with the study, and voluntarily 
agree to participate by giving written informed consent for the trial.  The subject or 
legally acceptable representative may also provide consent for Future Biomedical 
Research.  However, the subject may participate in the main trial without 
participating in Future Biomedical Research.
6. Meet one of the following categories:
a) The subject is a male who is not of reproductive potential, defined as a male who 
has azoospermia (whether due to having had a vasectomy or due to an underlying 
medical condition).  
b) The subject is a female who is not of reproductive potential, defined as a female 
who either: (1) is postmenopausal (defined as at least 12 months with no menses in 
women ≥45 years of age); (2) has had a hysterectomy and/or bilateral oophorectomy, 
bilateral salpingectomy, or bilateral tubal ligation/occlusion at least 6 weeks prior to 
screening; OR (3) has a congenital or acquired condition that prevents childbearing.
c) The subject is a female or a male who is of reproductive potential and agrees to 
avoid becoming pregnant or impregnating a partner from the time of consent through 
completion of the study by complying with one of the following:  (1) practice 
abstinence† from heterosexual activity OR (2) use (or have their partner use) 
acceptable contraception during heterosexual activity.  Acceptable methods of 
contraception are‡:
Single method (one of the following is acceptable):

non-hormonal intrauterine device (IUD)

vasectomy of a female subject’s male partner
Combination method (requires use of two of the following):

diaphragm with spermicide (cannot be used in conjunction with cervical 
cap/spermicide)

cervical cap with spermicide (nulliparous women only)

contraceptive sponge (nulliparous women only) 

male condom or female condom (cannot be used together)

hormonal contraceptive: oral contraceptive pill (estrogen/progestin pill or 
progestin-only pill), contraceptive skin patch, vaginal contraceptive ring, 
or subcutaneous contraceptive injection
†Abstinence (relative to heterosexual activity) can be used as the sole method of 
contraception if it is consistently employed as the subject’s preferred and usual lifestyle 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
42
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
and if considered acceptable by local regulatory agencies and ERCs/IRBs.  Periodic 
abstinence (e.g., calendar, ovulation, sympto-thermal, post-ovulation methods, etc.) and 
withdrawal are not acceptable methods of contraception.
‡If a contraceptive method listed above is restricted by local regulations/guidelines, then 
it does not qualify as an acceptable method of contraception for subjects participating at 
sites in this country/region. 
Open-Label, Treatment Group 3
5.1.2.2
In order to be eligible for participation in this trial, the subject must:
1.
be ≥ 18 years of age on the day of signing informed consent at the randomization 
visit.
NOTE: Adults are the intended study population for this protocol.  Subjects under the 
age of legal consent per a specific country's regulations should be excluded from 
participation in this study.
2. require hospitalization and treatment with IV antibiotic therapy for a new, persistent 
(defined as inadequate response to current therapy or failure to improve as expected)  
or progressing (defined as clinically worsening despite treatment) bacterial infection 
with at least one of the following primary infection types:

Hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia (HABP) or ventilator-associated bacterial 
pneumonia (VABP)

Complicated intra-abdominal infection (cIAI)

Complicated urinary tract infection (cUTI) 
NOTE:  Diagnostic criteria, including relevant radiographic, clinical and 
microbiological evidence, for each infection type are in Appendix 12.5.  
3. have positive culture data obtained from the primary infection-site specimen collected 
within 1 week of study entry and at least one of the suspected causative pathogen(s) 
from that specimen meets all of the following criteria:
a.
has been identified as a Gram-negative bacterium, AND 
b. has culture-confirmed imipenem resistance (MIC of isolate is above the 
imipenem-susceptible breakpoint) and colistin resistance (MIC of isolate is 
above the colistin-susceptible breakpoint) based on panels provided by the 
Sponsor, AND
c.
has culture-confirmed susceptibility to IMI/REL (MIC of isolate is at or below 
the imipenem-susceptible breakpoint) based on panels provided by the 
Sponsor.
4. agree to allow any bacterial isolates obtained from protocol-required specimens 
related to the current infection be provided to the Central Microbiology Reference 
Laboratory for study-related microbiological testing, long-term storage, and other 
future testing.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
43
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
5. understand (or have a legal representative that understands) the study procedures, 
alternative treatments available, and risks involved with the study, and voluntarily 
agree to participate by giving written informed consent for the trial.  The subject (or 
legally acceptable representative) may also provide consent for Future Biomedical 
Research.  However, the subject may participate in the main trial without 
participating in Future Biomedical Research.
6. Meet one of the following categories:
a) The subject is a male who is not of reproductive potential, defined as a male who 
has azoospermia (whether due to having had a vasectomy or due to an underlying 
medical condition).  
b) The subject is a female who is not of reproductive potential, defined as a female 
who either: (1) is postmenopausal (defined as at least 12 months with no menses in 
women ≥45 years of age); (2) has had a hysterectomy and/or bilateral oophorectomy, 
bilateral salpingectomy, or bilateral tubal ligation/occlusion at least 6 weeks prior to 
screening; OR (3) has a congenital or acquired condition that prevents childbearing.
c) The subject is a female or a male who is of reproductive potential and agrees to 
avoid becoming pregnant or impregnating a partner from the time of consent through 
completion of the study by complying with one of the following:  (1) practice 
abstinence† from heterosexual activity OR (2) use (or have their partner use) 
acceptable contraception during heterosexual activity.  Acceptable methods of 
contraception are‡:
Single method (one of the following is acceptable):

non-hormonal intrauterine device (IUD)

vasectomy of a female subject’s male partner
Combination method (requires use of two of the following):

diaphragm with spermicide (cannot be used in conjunction with cervical 
cap/spermicide)

cervical cap with spermicide (nulliparous women only)

contraceptive sponge (nulliparous women only) 

male condom or female condom (cannot be used together)

hormonal contraceptive: oral contraceptive pill (estrogen/progestin pill or 
progestin-only pill), contraceptive skin patch, vaginal contraceptive ring, 
or subcutaneous contraceptive injection
†Abstinence (relative to heterosexual activity) can be used as the sole method of 
contraception if it is consistently employed as the subject’s preferred and usual lifestyle 
and if considered acceptable by local regulatory agencies and ERCs/IRBs.  Periodic 
abstinence (e.g., calendar, ovulation, sympto-thermal, post-ovulation methods, etc.) and 
withdrawal are not acceptable methods of contraception.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
44
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
‡If a contraceptive method listed above is restricted by local regulations/guidelines, then 
it does not qualify as an acceptable method of contraception for subjects participating at 
sites in this country/region.
Subject Exclusion Criteria
5.1.3
Treatment Groups 1 and 2
5.1.3.1
The subject must be excluded from participating in the trial if the subject:
1. has an APACHE II score >30 at screening
2. has an infection in which any of the causative pathogens are any of the following:

Imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp.

suspected Class B metallo-beta-lactamase-producing bacteria (including NDM-1, 
IMP or VIM-containing strains)
3. has a concurrent infection that would interfere with evaluation of response to the 
study antibiotics (IMI/REL or CMS + IMI), including any of the following:

endocarditis

osteomyelitis

meningitis

prosthetic joint infection

active pulmonary tuberculosis

a disseminated fungal infection
4. has received treatment with any form of systemic colistin for > 24 hours within the 72 
hours immediately prior to initiation of study therapy.
5. has HABP/VABP caused by an obstructive process, including lung cancer (or other 
malignancy metastatic to the lungs resulting in pulmonary obstruction) or other 
known obstruction.
6. has cUTI which meets any of the following: 

complete obstruction of any portion of the urinary tract (requiring a permanent 
indwelling urinary catheter or instrumentation)

known ileal loop

intractable vesico-ureteral reflux

presence of indwelling urinary catheter which cannot be removed at study entry
NOTE:  All indwelling urinary catheters must be removed prior to the start of IV 
therapy.  Unless medically necessary, it is recommended that an indwelling 
urinary catheter not be reinserted while on IV study therapy.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
45
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
7. has a history of serious allergy, hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylaxis), or any serious 
reaction to any of the following:

any carbapenem, cephalosporin, penicillin, or other β-lactam agent 

colistimethate sodium (colistin) or to polymyxin B

other β-lactamase inhibitors (e.g., tazobactam, sulbactam, clavulanic acid, 
avibactam)  
NOTE: Subjects with a history of mild rash to penicillins or other β-lactams may 
be enrolled and closely monitored.
8. is a female who is pregnant or is expecting to conceive (or is a male partner of a 
female who is expecting to conceive), is breastfeeding, or plans to breastfeed prior to 
completion of the study. 
9. has any of the following medical conditions at screening: 

history of a seizure disorder (requiring ongoing treatment with anti-convulsive 
therapy or prior treatment with anti-convulsive therapy within the last 3 years)

myasthenia gravis

porphyria

cystic fibrosis

granulomatous disease
10. is anticipated to be treated with any of the following medications during the course of 
study therapy: 

valproic acid or divalproex sodium (or has used valproic acid or divalproex 
sodium in the 2 weeks prior to screening)

concomitant IV, oral, or inhaled antimicrobial agents with known coverage of 
Gram-negative bacteria of interest (i.e., Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp.
and Gram-negative anaerobic bacilli), in addition to those designated in the study 
treatment groups.
NOTE: Use of IV vancomycin, IV daptomycin, or IV linezolid to treat confirmed 
or suspected methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infection, use of IV linezolid 
or IV daptomycin to treat confirmed or suspected vancomycin-resistant 
Enterococcus spp. (VRE) infection, or use of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
(TMP/SMX) or other standard-of-care agent for prophylaxis of opportunistic 
infection (e.g., Pneumocystis jiroveci infection) in immunocompromised subjects
is allowed.  Daptomycin is not indicated for the treatment of HABP/VABP (Refer 
to Section 5.5).
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
46
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
11. has an estimated or actual creatinine clearance of less than 15 mL/min at screening 
based on the findings of local laboratory values.  Creatinine clearance in mL/min may 
be calculated from serum creatinine concentration by the Cockcroft-Gault (C-G)
equation:
Creatinine clearance (Males) 
=    (weight in kg) X (140 minus age)    
(72) X (creatinine in mg/dL)
Creatinine clearance (Females) = 0.85 X the value obtained using the formula above
12. is currently undergoing hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
13. has a history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, laboratory abnormality, or
other circumstance that, in the opinion of the investigator, might confound the results 
of the study, interfere with the subject’s participation for the full duration of the 
study, or pose additional risk in administering the study drugs to the subject.
14. is currently participating in, or has participated in, any other clinical study involving 
the administration of investigational or experimental medication (not licensed by 
regulatory agencies) at the time of the presentation or during the previous 30 days 
prior to screening or is anticipated to participate in such a clinical study during the 
course of this trial.
15. is or has an immediate family member (spouse or children) who is investigational site 
or sponsor staff directly involved with this trial.
16. has previously participated in this study at any time.
Open-Label, Treatment Group 3
5.1.3.2
The subject must be excluded from participating in the trial if the subject:
1.
has an infection in which any of the causative pathogens are any of the following:

Imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp.

suspected Class B metallo-beta-lactamase-producing bacteria (including NDM-1, 
IMP or VIM-containing strains)
2. has a concurrent infection that would interfere with evaluation of response to 
IMI/REL, including any of the following:

endocarditis

osteomyelitis

meningitis

prosthetic joint infection

a disseminated fungal infection

active pulmonary tuberculosis
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
47
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
3. has HABP/VABP caused by an obstructive process, including lung cancer (or other 
malignancy metastatic to the lungs resulting in pulmonary obstruction) or other 
known obstruction.
4. has cUTI which meets any of the following: 

complete obstruction of any portion of the urinary tract (requiring a permanent 
indwelling urinary catheter or instrumentation)

known ileal loop

intractable vesico-uretral reflux

presence of indwelling urinary catheter which cannot be removed at study entry
NOTE:  All indwelling urinary catheters must be removed prior to the start of IV 
therapy.  Unless medically necessary, it is recommended that an indwelling 
urinary catheter not be reinserted while on IV study therapy.
5. has a history of serious allergy, hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylaxis), or any serious 
reaction to any of the following:

Any carbapenem, cephalosporin, penicillin, or other β-lactam agent 

other β-lactamase inhibitors (e.g., tazobactam, sulbactam, clavulanic acid, 
avibactam)  
NOTE: Subjects with a history of mild rash to penicillins or other β-lactams may 
be enrolled and closely monitored.
6. is a female who is pregnant or is expecting to conceive (or is a male partner of a 
female who is expecting to conceive), is breastfeeding, or plans to breastfeed prior to 
completion of the study. 
7. has a history of a seizure disorder (requiring ongoing treatment with anti-convulsive 
therapy or prior treatment with anti-convulsive therapy within the last 3 years)
8. is anticipated to be treated with any of the following medications during the course of 
study therapy: 

valproic acid or divalproex sodium (or has used valproic acid or divalproex 
sodium in the 2 weeks prior to screening)

concomitant IV, oral, or inhaled antimicrobial treatments with known coverage of 
Gram-negative bacteria of interest (i.e., Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp. 
and Gram-negative anaerobic bacilli) in addition to those designated in the study 
treatment groups (prior use of antimicrobial agents is permitted).
NOTE: Use of IV vancomycin, IV daptomycin, or IV linezolid to treat confirmed 
or suspected methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infection, use of IV linezolid 
or IV daptomycin to treat confirmed or suspected vancomycin-resistant 
Enterococcus spp. (VRE) infection, or use of TMP/SMX or other standard-of-care 
agent for prophylaxis of opportunistic infection (e.g., P. jiroveci infection) in 
immunocompromised subjects is allowed.  Daptomycin is not indicated for the 
treatment of HABP/VABP (Refer to Section 5.5).
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
48
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
9. has an estimated or actual creatinine clearance of less than 15 mL/min at screening 
based on the findings of local laboratory values.  Creatinine clearance in mL/min may 
be calculated from serum creatinine concentration by the C-G equation:
Creatinine clearance (Males) =    (weight in kg) X (140 minus age)    
(72) X (creatinine in mg/dL)
Creatinine clearance (Females) = 0.85 X the value obtained using the formula above
10. is currently undergoing hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
11. has a history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, laboratory abnormality, or 
other circumstance that, in the opinion of the investigator, might confound the results 
of the study, interfere with the subject’s participation for the full duration of the 
study, or pose additional risk in administering the study drugs to the subject.
12. is currently participating in, or has participated in, any other clinical study involving 
the administration of investigational or experimental medication (not licensed by 
regulatory agencies) at the time of the presentation or during the previous 30 days 
prior to screening or is anticipated to participate in such a clinical study during the 
course of this trial.
13. is or has an immediate family member (spouse or children) who is investigational site 
or sponsor staff directly involved with this trial.
14. has previously participated in this study at any time
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
49
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Trial Treatment(s)
5.2
The treatments to be used in this trial are outlined below in Table 10.
Table 10  Trial Treatments
Drug
Dose/Potencyb
Dose 
Frequency
Route of 
Administration
Regimen/Treatment 
Periodc
Use
Treatment Group 1 (N = 36) or Treatment Group 3
Imipenem/
cilastatin/relebactam
(IMI/REL)a
Imipenem:
500 mg 
Relebactam: 
250 mg
Every 6 
hours
IV
5 or 7 to 21 days
Experimental
Placebo for CMS 
(diluent for CMS as 
directed in the 
Pharmacy Manual)
N/A
Loading dose 
followed 
after 12 hours 
by 
maintenance 
dose every 12 
hours
IV
5 or 7 to 21 days
Placebo-
control
Treatment Group 2 (N = 18)
Colistin as 
colistimethate 
sodium (CMS)
Total 
maximum 
daily 
maintenance 
dose: 
300 mg CBAd
Loading dose 
followed 
after 12 hours 
by 
maintenance 
dose every 12 
hours
IV
5 or 7 to 21 days
Active-
comparator
Imipenem/cilastatin
(IMI)
Imipenem: 
500 mg
Every 6 
hours
IV
5 or 7 to 21 days
Active-
comparator
CBA:  Colistin base activity (300 mg CBA corresponds to approximately 720 mg CMS or ~9  million IU)
a IMI/REL will be provided combined in a single vial.
b Adjustments to dosage of IMI/REL, IMI and CMS may be required.  Dose adjustment for IMI/REL and IMI are required 
for subjects with renal insufficiency (Reference Table 11 in Section 5.2.1.1). Dose adjustment for CMS dose in subjects 
with renal insufficiency is also required (Reference Table 12 in Section 5.2.1.1). 
c IV study therapy should be administered for a minimum of 120 hours (5 full days) for subjects with cIAI or cUTI or 168 
hours (7 full days) for subjects with HABP/VABP. The corresponding number of doses required is described in Section 
7.1.5.2. The total duration of IV study therapy should not exceed 21 days. Duration of study therapy longer than 21 days 
must be approved the Sponsor.
d Subjects who require a loading dose of CMS (Reference Table 12 in Section 5.2.1.1) will receive >300 mg CBA during 
the first 24 hours of study therapy.
Trial therapy should begin on the same day as IVRS assignment of therapy for all subjects 
(i.e., randomization for Treatment Groups 1 and 2 or allocation assignment for Treatment 
Group 3).  The first dose of prescribed study therapy should be administered at the Day 1 
visit.  The Unblinded Study Pharmacist (or qualified designee) will contact the interactive 
voice response system/integrated web response system (IVRS/IWRS) for assignment of the 
study therapy to be administered. Sites should not call IVRS/IWRS for drug administration 
until the subject has met all entry criteria for the study and ready to be randomized. All
subjects in each treatment group will receive a minimum of either 5 days (cIAI, cUTI) or 7 
days (HABP/VABP) up to a maximum of 21 days of intravenous (IV) study therapy.  
Duration of study therapy longer than 21 days must be approved the Sponsor.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
50
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Detailed dosing guidelines, including dose selection and timing of dose administration, are 
outlined in Section 5.2.1.1 and Section 5.2.2, respectively.
Dose Selection/Modification
5.2.1
Dose Selection
5.2.1.1
For subjects with renal insufficiency, the dose of IMI/REL (in Treatment Group 1 or 
Treatment Group 3) and IMI (in Treatment Group 2) must be adjusted based upon the degree 
of renal function impairment, as determined by the estimated or actual creatinine clearance.  
It is important to note that if a change in the subject’s creatinine clearance during IV study 
therapy could result in dosage adjustments at any time during IV therapy.  Dose adjustments 
according to creatinine clearance are included in Table 11.    
Creatinine clearance in mL/min may be calculated from serum creatinine concentration by 
the C-G equation:
Creatinine clearance (Males) =    (weight in kg) X (140 –minus age)    
(72) X (creatinine in mg/dL)
Creatinine clearance (Females) = 
0.85 X the value obtained using the formula above
Subjects in Treatment Group 2 will also receive colistin as CMS.  Upon randomization and 
initiation of IV study therapy, the dosage of the first dose of CMS for Treatment Group 2 
subjects will depend on the subject’s previous history of receipt of colistin within the 72 
hours prior to entry in the study.  Specifically, if a loading dose >200mg CBA 
(corresponding to ~ 470 mg CMS or 5.9  million IU) was administered prior to entry, the 
subject should begin maintenance doses described in Table 12 upon initiation of IV study 
therapy. It should be noted that a loading dose is defined based on the dosage of any 
individual dose(s) administered rather than the total dosage over a series of doses in a subject 
who has received >1 dose prior to entry. If the subject has not received a loading dose (i.e., 
an individual dose ≥ 200 mg CBA) prior to study entry, the protocol-specified loading dose 
of CMS of 300 mg CBA (corresponding to ~ 720 mg CMS or ~9 million IU) should be 
provided as shown in Table 12, regardless of the dosage previously administered.  
Twelve (12) hours after the initial loading dose, maintenance dosing will begin and then 
continue every 12 hours (q12h) thereafter. The maintenance dose of CMS will be based on 
creatinine clearance according to Table 12.  Creatinine clearance may be calculated from 
serum creatinine concentration by the equation previously provided.  It is important to note 
that a change in the subject’s creatinine clearance during IV study therapy could result in 
dosage adjustments at any time during IV therapy.  
Subjects assigned to Treatment Group 1 will receive a matching placebo for CMS on the 
same schedule as subjects in Treatment Group 2 (first dose upon initiation of therapy 
followed by q12h maintenance doses beginning 12 hours later). Since Treatment Group 3 is 
open-label, no placebo will be administered to subjects enrolled into this Treatment Group.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
51
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Table 11  Administration Dosage of IMI/REL and IMI According to Renal Function
Creatinine Clearance
(mL/min)
IMI/RELa
IMI
≥ 90 
500/250 mg q6h
500 mg q6h
< 90 to ≥ 60 
400/200 mg q6h
400 mg q6h
< 60 to ≥ 30 
300/150 mg q6h
300 mg q6h
< 30 to ≥ 15 
200/100 mg q6h
200 mg q6h
a IMI/REL is provided as a single vial in a fixed-dose combination; therefore, the dose for each component will 
be adjusted equally during preparation.  For example, a Treatment Group 1 subject who has a creatinine 
clearance of 50 mL/min should receive a 150 mg q6h dose of REL according to the table.  Since the dose is 
reduced by 50% during preparation, the total mg of IMI would also be reduced by 50%, thus resulting in a 
300 mg q6h dose of IMI.
Table 12  Administration Dosage of Loading and Daily Maintenance Doses of CMS
According to Renal Function
Creatinine Clearance
(mL/min)
Loading Dosea
Maintenance Doseb
≥ 90
300 mg CBA
(~720 mg CMS or ~9
million IU)
150 mg CBA
(~360 mg CMS or ~4.5 million 
IU)
< 90 to ≥ 60
150 mg CBA
(~360 mg CMS or ~4.5 million 
IU)
< 60 to ≥ 30
115 mg CBA
(~270 mg CMS or ~3.4 million 
IU)
< 30 to ≥ 15
75 mg CBA
(~180 mg CMS or ~2.3 million 
IU)
CMS = colistimethate sodium; CBA = colistin base activity.
a If a loading dose ≥ 200 mg CBA (~470 mg CMS or ~5.9 million IU) was administered prior to study entry, the subject 
should begin maintenance doses upon initiation of IV study therapy.  If the subject has not previously received a loading 
dose, a loading dose should be provided as described, regardless of the dosage previously administered. 
b With the exceptions noted in footnote a, the maintenance dose will be administered 12 hours following administration of 
the loading dose and will be administered every 12 hours thereafter.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
52
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Timing of Dose Administration
5.2.2
The dosage of the IV study drugs may be adjusted based on the subject’s renal function as 
shown in Table 11 and Table 12.  The frequency of IMI/REL and of IMI administration will
be every 6 hours (q6h).  Each infusion should be administered within 60 minutes of the 
scheduled dose. 
The frequency of CMS administration (or placebo for CMS) will be every 12 hours (q12h).  
A loading dose (300 mg CBA [corresponding to ~720 mg CMS or ~9 million IU]) will be 
administered upon initiation of study therapy, except in certain subjects who have been 
administered colistin prior to study entry (see Section 5.2.1.1).  Twelve (12) hours following 
the loading dose, the maintenance dose will be initiated and then continued q12h thereafter.
Since IMI-containing therapy will be administered q6h and CMS (or placebo to CMS) will 
be administered q12h, CMS (or placebo to CMS) will be administered at the same hour of 
the day as the IMI-containing study therapy (IMI or IMI/REL) at each 12-hour interval.  An 
illustration of the dosing scheme for each treatment group is provided in Figure 2.
IMI/REL (Treatment Group 1 or Treatment Group 3), IMI (Treatment Group 2) and CMS 
(Treatment Group 2) should be administered over 30 ± 5 minutes.  The study therapy must 
NOT be administered simultaneously through the same infusion line/lumen with any other 
drugs (including other IV study or IV non-study drugs). If another IV drug is required either 
prior to or after study drug and only 1 line/lumen is available, an appropriate volume of 
saline flush must be used between IV infusions. In instances when IMI/REL or IMI require 
administration at the same hour of the day as the CMS (or placebo to CMS), the 2 infusions 
should be administered either 1) sequentially with the IMI-containing infusion first followed 
by an appropriate volume of saline flush prior to administration of the CMS/placebo OR, 2) 
via a separate infusion line at the same time as the CMS/placebo.  
Additional details for preparation and administration of study drug are provided in a separate 
Pharmacy Manual.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
53
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Figure 2  Dosing Scheme for Study Therapies
Trial Blinding/Masking
5.2.3
Treatment Groups 1 and 2
A double-blind/masking technique will be used for randomized subjects (Treatment Group 1 
and Treatment Group 2).  IMI/REL, IMI, CMS, and placebo to CMS will be dispensed in a 
blinded fashion to these subjects.  All study therapy supplies will be provided in an open-
label fashion to the sites.  Since randomized subjects (Treatment Group 1 and Treatment 
Group 2) will be provided study therapy in a blinded fashion, an Unblinded Study Pharmacist 
(or qualified designee) at the study site will be responsible for preparing all of the IV study 
therapy for this study; this individual(s) will not be involved in any safety or efficacy 
evaluations of the study participants. Due to a slight difference in the appearance of CMS 
solution for infusion and the placebo infusion, the infusion bags will be covered in an opaque 
sleeve by an Unblinded Study Pharmacist (or qualified designee) to ensure that other study 
personnel and all subjects remain blinded to clinical material assignment. The intravenous 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
54
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
line (through which the infusion is administered) does not require opaque covering as the 
differences between the clinical materials are not visually distinguishable within the tubing. 
Once each infusion is properly prepared and masked with an opaque sleeve, the study 
therapy will be administered by qualified trial site personnel.  The personnel involved in the 
administration of the study infusion treatment should be unaware of the treatment group 
assignments. Similarly, the subject, the investigator, and Sponsor personnel or delegate(s) 
who are involved in the clinical evaluation of the subject should also remain unaware of the 
treatment group assignments.
See Section 7.1.4.2, Blinding/Unblinding, for a description of the method of unblinding a 
subject during the trial, should such action be warranted.
Treatment Group 3
Subjects who are enrolled to receive IMI/REL in Treatment Group 3 will do so in an open-
label fashion.
Randomization or Treatment Allocation
5.3
Randomization will occur centrally using an interactive voice response system / integrated 
web response system (IVRS/IWRS). There are 2 randomized treatment arms.  Subjects will 
be assigned randomly in a 2:1 ratio to IMI/REL + placebo to CMS (Treatment Group 1; 
N=~36) or CMS + IMI (Treatment Group 2; N=~18), respectively. Subjects enrolled into the 
open-label arm (Treatment Group 3) will be provided with IMI/REL through IVRS/IWRS as 
well.
Stratification
5.4
Randomization will be stratified according to the following infection types:
1. HABP/VABP
2. cIAI
3. cUTI
Subjects diagnosed with more than one of the infection types listed above can be enrolled 
into the study as long one of the infections listed above is identified as the primary site. Both 
the primary site of infection as well as any secondary infection sites will be documented on 
the relevant eCRF(s).  Stratification will be determined based on a hierarchy of the 3 
specified infection types.  Specifically, subjects with multiple sites of infection, regardless of 
the primary site, will be stratified in order of priority (based on the presence of any of the 3 
infection types) into the HABP/VABP stratum first, followed by the cIAI stratum, and finally 
the cUTI stratum.
Given the potential differences in severity of the various infection types, enrollment of an 
excess number of subjects in a stratum with less severe disease could have significant impact 
on the ability to evaluate the efficacy endpoints.  For this reason, randomization will be 
stratified by infection type. Approximately 18 subjects will be enrolled into each of the 3 
strata. Once 18 subjects have been enrolled into an individual stratum, this stratum may be 
considered fully enrolled but enrollment into that stratum may remain open at the discretion 
of the Sponsor until the other strata have reached full capacity. Hierarchical stratification of 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
55
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
subjects with multiple infection sites will continue regardless of status of enrollment in each 
stratum. 
A total of 15 mMITT subjects are required per infection site (45 total across the 3 strata). At 
the discretion of the Sponsor, enrollment may be stopped prior to reaching 54 total subjects if 
a sufficient number of mMITT subjects have been obtained. Enrollment may also be 
extended beyond 54 subjects at the discretion of the Sponsor for the following reasons: 1) if
additional subjects beyond 54 are required to obtain the target number of mMITT subjects; or 
2) if enrollment in any individual stratum has not been completed, while other strata remain 
open (even after a sufficient number of mMITT subjects have been obtained in those strata),
until all 3 strata have reached full capacity (i.e., 15 mMITT evaluable subjects each).
The primary site of infection as well as any secondary infection sites will be documented on 
the relevant eCRF(s) for subjects enrolled into Treatment Group 3 as well.  Since Treatment 
Group 3 will not be randomized, stratification variables will not be used for this group and no 
limits will be placed on the number of subjects per infection site.  Enrollment in Treatment 
Group 3 will be ongoing until enrollment is completed in the randomized cohort.
Concomitant Medications/Vaccinations (allowed & prohibited)
5.5
Medications or vaccinations specifically prohibited in the exclusion criteria are not allowed 
during the ongoing trial.  Listed below are some specific restrictions for concomitant therapy 
or vaccination during the course of the trial.  If there is a clinical indication for one of these 
or other medications or vaccinations specifically prohibited during the trial, discontinuation 
from trial therapy or vaccination may be required.  The investigator should discuss any 
questions regarding this with the Sponsor Clinical Director. The final decision on any 
supportive therapy or vaccination rests with the investigator and/or the subject's primary 
physician.  However, the decision to continue the subject on trial therapy or vaccination 
schedule requires the mutual agreement of the investigator, the Sponsor and the subject.
NOTE: With the exception of >24 hours of colistin for subjects in Treatment Groups 1 
and 2 (see Section 5.1.3.1, Criterion #4) there are no restrictions to prior antimicrobial 
therapy.
The following concomitant medications/therapies are NOT permitted in this study:
1. Valproic acid/divalproex sodium
2. Non-study IV, oral, or inhaled antibacterial treatments with known coverage of 
Gram-negative bacteria of interest (i.e., Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp. and 
Gram-negative anaerobic bacilli).  
Importantly, the following antibacterial medications are permitted:
a.
IV vancomycin, IV daptomycin, or IV linezolid to treat confirmed or 
suspected MRSA infection.  If added, IV vancomycin, daptomycin, or 
linezolid should be used according to the investigator’s usual practice.  
Daptomycin is not indicated for the treatment of HABP/VABP.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
56
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
b. IV linezolid or IV daptomycin to treat confirmed or suspected VRE infection.  
If added, linezolid or daptomycin should be used according to the 
investigator’s usual practice.  Daptomycin should not be used to treat 
HABP/VABP.
c.
TMP/SMX or other standard-of-care agent for prophylaxis of opportunistic 
infection (e.g., P. jiroveci infection) in immunocompromised subjects.
3. Use of systemic antifungal therapy for disseminated fungal infection, fungemia, or for 
pulmonary infection in HABP/VABP subjects.   
Antifungal medications are permitted in the following clinical situations:
a.
Antifungal medications for treatment of mucocutaneous infection (e.g., 
vaginal candidiasis, onychomycosis).
b. Antifungal medications for prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections, such as 
in immunocompromised patients.
c.
Antifungal medications for treatment of fungal pathogens isolated in 
polymicrobial cIAI, if treatment of isolated fungal pathogens is required.
Rescue Medications & Supportive Care
5.6
No rescue or supportive medications are specified to be used in this trial.
Diet/Activity/Other Considerations
5.7
There are no dietary or activity restrictions in this study, except as medically indicated.
Subject Withdrawal/Discontinuation Criteria
5.8
Subjects may withdraw consent at any time for any reason or be dropped from the trial at the 
discretion of the investigator should any untoward effect occur.  In addition, a subject may be 
withdrawn by the investigator or the Sponsor if enrollment into the trial is inappropriate, the 
trial plan is violated, or for administrative and/or other safety reasons.  Specific details 
regarding discontinuation or withdrawal procedures; including specific details regarding 
withdrawal from Future Biomedical Research, are provided in Section 7.1.4 – Other 
Procedures.
In this trial, a subject may discontinue from IV study therapy but continue to participate in 
the regularly scheduled activities, as long as the subject does not withdraw consent.  
Discontinuation from IV study therapy is permanent.  Once a subject has discontinued IV 
study therapy, even though he/she continues to be monitored in the trial, he/she shall not be 
allowed to begin IV study therapy again.
A subject must be discontinued from the trial for any of the following reasons:
1. The subject or legal representative (such as a parent or legal guardian) withdraws 
consent.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
57
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
2. The subject has a medical condition or personal circumstance which, in the opinion of the 
investigator and/or Sponsor, places the subject at unnecessary risk through continued 
participation in the trial or does not allow the subject to adhere to the requirements of the 
protocol.
A subject must be discontinued from IV study therapy (but should continue to be monitored 
in the trial) for any of the following reasons:
1. Any of the following post-baseline elevations in liver transaminase levels:
In subjects without baseline transaminase elevations:
ALT or AST ≥8 X ULN
ALT or AST ≥3 X ULN accompanied by total bilirubin > 2 X ULN OR INR 
> 1.5
ALT or AST ≥3 X ULN with the appearance of fatigue, nausea, vomiting, 
right upper quadrant pain or tenderness, fever (defined as body temperature 
≥38.0°C [≥100.4°F]), rash, and/or eosinophilia (>5%)
NOTE: In subjects in whom fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and right upper 
quadrant pain or tenderness was a part of the subject's presenting illness, the 
subject may continue on therapy if there is no elevation in transaminases from 
baseline measurements. In such subjects who experience a return of their 
original symptoms with accompanying elevations in transaminases it may be 
difficult to determine the cause, and investigators may discuss subjects in this 
situation with the Sponsor Clinical Director prior to discontinuation, if 
desired.
In subjects with preexisting transaminase elevations, 
Further increase in transaminases to ≥8X ULN [with at least 50% increase 
from transaminase values collected at randomization (Day 1)] that is not 
anticipated from their underlying medical condition.
ALT or AST ≥3 X ULN and new onset of clinical signs and symptoms of 
fatigue, nausea, vomiting, right upper quadrant pain or tenderness, fever 
(defined as body temperature ≥38.0°C [≥100.4°F]), rash, and/or eosinophilia 
(>5%)
Clinically significant worsening of liver function associated with further 
transaminase elevations in a subject with abnormal transaminase levels 
already meeting the above criteria (i.e., ≥8X ULN; ALT or AST ≥3 X ULN 
and new onset of clinical signs and symptoms listed) at baseline.
The subject will discontinue from study therapy, but will continue to participate in the 
study and will be assessed according to all study planned study procedures through 
the final study visit and will be evaluated for blood chemistry and hematology
(including, at minimum, ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin (direct + indirect) 
and creatine phosphokinase) until values return to within normal range. The trial site 
guidance for assessment and follow up of liver function test (LFT) elevations can be 
found in the Investigator Trial File Binder.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
58
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
2. A post-baseline decline in estimated or actual creatinine clearance to a value of less than 
15 mL/min.
3. The subject requires initiation of hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
4. The subject has a confirmed positive serum or urine (sensitivity of < 25 million IU/L is 
required if using urine test) pregnancy test.
5. A physician investigator feels it is in best interest of the subject to discontinue for any 
reason, including, but not limited to, the need for alternative non-study antibacterial 
therapy.
6. A new imipenem-resistant Gram-negative bacterium is isolated from an infection site 
during study therapy and is not susceptible to IMI/REL and colistin.
NOTE:  Since subjects enrolled into Treatment Group 3 are required to have a 
colistin-resistant infection at randomization, development of a new colistin-resistant 
infection would not require discontinuation.
Subject Replacement Strategy
5.9
A subject who discontinues from the trial will not be replaced.
Beginning and End of the Trial
5.10
The overall trial begins when the first subject signs the informed consent form.  The overall 
trial ends when the last subject completes the last study-related phone call or visit, 
discontinues from the trial or is lost to follow-up (i.e. the subject is unable to be contacted by 
the investigator).
Clinical Criteria for Early Trial Termination
5.11
The clinical trial may be terminated early if the extent (incidence and/or severity) of 
emerging effects/clinical endpoints is such that the risk/benefit ratio to the trial population as 
a whole is unacceptable.  In addition, further recruitment in the trial or at (a) particular trial 
site(s) may be stopped due to insufficient compliance with the protocol, GCP and/or other 
applicable regulatory requirements, procedure-related problems or the number of 
discontinuations for administrative reasons is too high.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
59
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
6.0 TRIAL FLOW CHART
Trial Period:
Screening
IV Study Therapy
Post-Therapy
Visit Title:
Visit 1
Screening
Visit 2
Randomization
/Initiation of 
Therapy
Visit 3
On Therapy 
(OTX)
Visit 4
End of 
Therapy 
(EOT)
Visit 5
Early Follow-
Up (EFU) 
Visit 6
Day 28a
Visit 7
Safety Follow-
Up Visit 
(Optionalb)
Scheduled Day
≤24 hours pre-
randomization
Day 1
Day 3
Day 5/7 to 
Day 21c
5 to 9 days 
following EOT
Day 28 post-
randomization
14 days 
following EOT
Scheduling Window
≤24 hours pre-
randomization
N/A
N/A
≤24 hours 
after last dose 
of  study 
therapy
+ 2 days
+3 days
+ 2 days
Administrative Procedures
Informed Consent
X
Informed Consent for Future Biomedical Research 
(optional)
X
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria
X
Subject Identification Card
X
Medical History, including full assessment of details 
of infection site diagnosesd
X
Prior or Concomitant Medication Review
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Treatment 
Allocation/Randomization 
& 
Stratification
X
IVRS Contacte
X
←    Daily    →
X
X
X
X
Administration of IV Study Therapy
←    Daily    →
Clinical Procedures/Assessments
APACHE II Score
X
Full Physical Examination
X
Directed Physical Examination
X
X
X
X
X
Vital Signs (heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory 
rate, oral/tympanic temperature)f
←   Daily during IV therapy   →
X
X
X
X
Height
X
Weight g
X
X
Adverse Events Monitoringh
X
←   Daily during IV therapy   →
X
X
X
X
Local infusion tolerability monitoringh
←   Daily during IV therapy   →
X
Review of clinical signs and symptoms of infection  
(including both primary and secondary infections)i
←   Daily during IV therapy   →
X 
X
X
Chest x-ray (HABP/VABP only)
Xj
X
PaO2/FiO2 Ratio and O2 Saturation (HABP/VABP 
only)k
←   Daily during IV therapy   →
X
X
X
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
60
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Trial Period:
Screening
IV Study Therapy
Post-Therapy
Visit Title:
Visit 1
Screening
Visit 2
Randomization
/Initiation of 
Therapy
Visit 3
On Therapy 
(OTX)
Visit 4
End of 
Therapy 
(EOT)
Visit 5
Early Follow-
Up (EFU) 
Visit 6
Day 28a
Visit 7
Safety Follow-
Up Visit 
(Optionalb)
Scheduled Day
≤24 hours pre-
randomization
Day 1
Day 3
Day 5/7 to 
Day 21c
5 to 9 days 
following EOT
Day 28 post-
randomization
14 days 
following EOT
Scheduling Window
≤24 hours pre-
randomization
N/A
N/A
≤24 hours 
after last dose 
of  study 
therapy
+ 2 days
+3 days
+ 2 days
Infection source control reviewl
X
X
X
Laboratory Procedures/Assessments
Blood for hematologym
X
X
X
X
X
X
Blood for chemistrym
X
X
X
X
X
X
Urine for urinalysism, n
X
X
β-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (β-hCG), in 
women of reproductive potential onlyo
X
X
Blood for Future Biomedical Research (optional)p
X
IMI, IMI/REL and colistin susceptibilityq
X
Infection Site Specimen for Culture and Susceptibility
HABP/VABP, cIAIr
Xs
Xs
Xs
Xs
cUTIt
Xu
X
X
X
Blood Specimen for Culture and Susceptibilityv
X
As clinically indicated or, if prestudy blood culture 
was positive, repeat daily until negative on 2 
consecutive cultures
Population Pharmacokinetics Analysis
Whole blood to collect plasma for REL, IMI, and 
CIL assayw
X
X
Efficacy Evaluation
Clinical Response Assessmentx
X
X
X
X
Microbiological Response Ratingy
X
X
X
Survival Assessment
X
PaO2 = partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood; FiO2 = Fraction of inspired oxygen
a
The Day 28 post-randomization visit may be combined with the EFU visit as long as compliance with the visit windows is maintained for both visits.  Specifically, if a 
subject receives 17– 21 days of IV study therapy, the EFU visit may potentially be combined with the Day 28 visit.  For example, if 17 days of IV therapy are provided, the 
EFU visit could be scheduled 11 days (9+2) following completion of therapy which would be 28 days (17 days of IV therapy +11 days of follow-up) following 
randomization. It is required that for any case, the allowable visit window ranges are maintained and all procedures required for each visit must be completed for the 
combined visit.
b
This visit is required if the Day 28 (+3 day-window) post-randomization visit occurs prior to 14 days following EOT (i.e., to obtain a full 14 days of safety follow-up 
following EOT, subjects who receive ≥18 days of therapy would require this safety follow-up visit since 18 + 14 would be outside of the window for the Day 28 visit).  
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
61
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
c
IV study therapy should be administered for a minimum of 5 full days for subjects with cIAI and cUTI or 7 full days with HABP/VABP. The total duration of IV study 
therapy should not exceed 21 days, unless a longer duration is approved by the Sponsor. See Section 7.1.2.1 for further details
d
The details of any primary or secondary infection-site diagnoses (HABP/VABP, cIAI and/or cUTI) will be documented separately on the appropriate eCRF(s). Details 
should include the diagnosis and an additional diagnostic details associated with the infection site (e.g., characterization of the complicated nature of the cIAI and/or cUTI).
e
For the purpose of monitoring renal function during IV treatment, the most recently collected creatinine clearance should also be reported to IVRS daily to support dosage 
determination. (refer to Table 11 and Table 12 in Section 5.2.1.1).  Any local or central laboratory abnormalities in serum creatinine that result in an adverse event or a dose 
adjustment.  
f
Vital signs should be performed and documented on the appropriate electronic case report forms (eCRFs) at the randomization visit (Day 1) prior to administration of the 
first dose of study therapy and daily during IV study therapy.  Vital signs should also be performed and documented at the additional visits specified. 
g
Enter weight if a clinically significant weight change occurred and resulted in a change in CrCl category.
h
Monitor for adverse events and local infusion tolerability and collect infection-specific clinical signs and symptoms daily during IV study therapy and adverse experiences 
for 14 days after completion of IV study therapy.  Laboratory abnormalities that emerge during IV therapy and are considered adverse experiences by the investigator must 
be followed until resolved or stabilized.  Serious adverse experiences that are considered by the investigator to be possibly, probably or definitely related to the 
investigational product that is brought to the attention of the investigator at any time outside of 14 days post-therapy also must be reported immediately to the Sponsor.  
i
Clinical signs and symptoms, radiographic (daily reporting not required for radiographic findings) and laboratory characteristics associated with the primary bacterial 
infection and any secondary bacterial infection sites (see Table 13) will be reviewed and documented on the appropriate electronic case report forms (eCRFs) daily during 
IV study therapy and at the additional visits specified.
j
A chest x-ray should only be performed in subjects with an infection site of HABP/VABP if a prior chest x-ray or chest CT has not been performed in association with the 
current infection within 3 days of randomization. Relevant radiographic findings should be recorded on the appropriate eCRF(s).
k
For subjects with an infection site of HABP/VABP, FiO2, PaO2 (measured via ABG in ventilated subjects who have existing arterial access or planned arterial blood 
collection) and O2 saturation via pulse oximetry, must be collected on Day 1 prior to initiation of IV study therapy. For the treatment period between Day 2 and EOT, daily 
collection of all 3 measurements is preferred; however, if PaO2 is not available (for example, because arterial blood gas is not clinically indicated) then FiO2 and O2
saturation should be documented.  These tests should also be performed at EOT, EFU, and Day 28 post-randomization visit.  All measured values should be documented on 
the appropriate electronic case report forms (eCRF).
l
Includes information regarding infection source control should be documented on the appropriate eCRF. Source control includes the following for each infection site: cUTI:
baseline information associated with catheterization (e.g., recent surgery or instrumentation, presence of catheter/stent) as well as any details related to removal and/or 
replacement of urinary catheters at any time during the study.  VABP: information regarding extubation or replacement of the endotracheal tube. cIAI: details associated 
with the qualifying abdominal surgical intervention or any subsequent interventions, including an anonymized narrative of the operative note and/or interventional radiology 
report.
m
Blood for laboratory safety tests (hematology and chemistry) should be collected for submission to the central safety laboratory at the randomization visit (Day 1) prior to 
administration of the first dose of study therapy, on Day 3 (OTX), and every 3 days thereafter until EOT (including the EOT visit).  Blood should also be collected at EFU, 
Day 28 as well as the Safety Follow-up visit (if this visit required). Urine for urinalysis should be collected for submission to the central safety laboratory at the 
randomization visit (Day 1) prior to administration of the first dose of study therapy and at EOT.  
n
The urinalysis should be performed on mid-stream clean catch urine or catheter urine specimen, if possible.
o
Prior documentation of a negative serum β-HCG within 48 hours of enrollment is acceptable for women of reproductive potential.  If documentation is not available, a rapid 
urine β-HCG may be used for screening. To conduct urine testing, sites must have individuals certified in administration and interpretation of test and the urine test utilized 
must have sensitivity of < 25 million IU/L. If a rapid urine test is performed at screening, a serum β HCG must be collected and sent to the Central Lab for confirmation of 
the dipstick result.  If the serum β HCG test comes back positive from the Central Laboratory, the subject must be discontinued.  The sample collected at the Day 28 visit 
should be a serum β-HCG.
p
Informed consent for future biomedical research samples must be obtained before the DNA sample.  DNA sample for analysis should be obtained predose, on Day 1 (or with 
the next scheduled blood draw), as the last sample drawn, on enrolled subjects only, or at a later date as soon as the informed consent is obtained.
q
Susceptibility to IMI, IMI/REL and to colistin of the previously-isolated (from primary infection site sample collected within 1 week [see Section 4.1.2.1 and 4.1.2.2, 
inclusion criteria #3 and #4] prior to entry) suspected causative bacterial pathogen(s) must be determined prior to randomization by the local laboratory using susceptibility 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
62
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
panels provided by the Sponsor.
r
Obtain sample for culture and susceptibility testing from infection site prior to initiation of IV study therapy for all subjects with HABP/VABP and/or cIAI.  Collection of a 
baseline sample from the infection site is strongly preferred; however, for subjects in which infection site specimen collection is not medically acceptable (e.g., cIAI subject 
in whom an additional sample would require surgical intervention), additional collection at the time of study entry is not required.  In these cases, an isolate of the suspected 
causative bacterial pathogen must have been collected within 1 week (see Section 5.1.2.1 and 5.1.2.2, inclusion criteria #3 and #4) of study entry and must be available for 
submission to the Central Microbiology Reference Laboratory; relevant data for the prior culture must be collected as well.  Bacterial isolates will be stored for future 
testing.  In addition, the most recently available laboratory data for the suspected causative pathogen(s), including specimen type, culture ID, colony count and susceptibility 
results must be collected on the appropriate eCRF.
s
Culture from the infection site (HABP/VABP, cIAI), including susceptibility testing of any identified pathogens on culture, should also be performed and collected on the 
appropriate eCRF at any time that there is clinical or laboratory evidence of persistence or progression of the infectious process (including persistent fever, elevated white 
blood cell count, or significant changes in the subject’s clinical condition) and at the time of any surgical or drainage procedure (if required). Bacterial isolates will be stored 
for future research.
t
Urine culture is required at all specified timepoints for all subjects with cUTI. Acceptable methods of collection include mid-stream-clean-catch, indwelling catheter or 
straight catheter specimen. For subjects with an indwelling catheter, samples should be collected following the placement of a new catheter. If the placement of a new 
catheter is contraindicated or is not feasible, specimens should be collected using aseptic techniques with the urine obtained through a properly disinfected collection port. 
Urine samples should never be obtained from a collection bag. Bacterial isolates will be stored for future testing.
u
Urine samples must be collected prior to initiation of IV study therapy.
v
Two sets of blood cultures, from two separate venipuncture (or 1 venipuncture and 1 catheter) sites are required before study therapy is initiated in all subjects.  Subjects 
with positive blood cultures at screening should have follow-up blood cultures collected daily until 2 consecutive cultures demonstrate no growth.  If further testing is 
required, samples for blood culture collected after screening should be collected immediately prior to subsequent doses.  Bacterial isolates will be stored for future testing.
w
Whole blood (4 mL) for attainment of plasma samples for determination of REL, IMI, and CIL plasma concentrations will be collected at screening and on Day 1 at 2 
timepoints: (1) at approximately 30 minutes post-start of first IV drug infusion, and (2) at approximately 4 hours post-start of first IV drug infusion.  Whole blood sample 
collection procedures are provided in a separate Laboratory Manual.  Sample handling, processing and shipment procedures will be provided separately in a Laboratory 
Manual.  Actual whole blood collection date and times are required for these samples.
x
The presence and/or absence of infection-specific clinical signs and symptoms will be evaluated by the investigator at each specified visit compared with baseline signs and 
symptoms to determine the clinical response assessment.  Clinical and other signs and symptoms of each infection type are included in Table 13. 
y
A by-pathogen and overall microbiological response will be determined by the Sponsor based on culture data reported on the appropriate eCRFs in subjects with cUTI only.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
63
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
7.0 TRIAL PROCEDURES
Trial Procedures
7.1
The Trial Flow Chart - Section 6.0 summarizes the trial procedures to be performed at each 
visit.  Individual trial procedures are described in detail below.  It may be necessary to 
perform these procedures at unscheduled time points if deemed clinically necessary by the 
investigator.
Furthermore, additional evaluations/testing may be deemed necessary by the investigator and 
or the Sponsor for reasons related to subject safety. In some cases, such evaluation/testing 
may be potentially sensitive in nature (e.g., HIV, Hepatitis C, etc.), and thus local regulations 
may require that additional informed consent be obtained from the subject.  In these cases, 
such evaluations/testing will be performed in accordance with those regulations.
Administrative Procedures
7.1.1
Informed Consent
7.1.1.1
The investigator must obtain documented consent from each potential subject prior to 
participating in a clinical trial or Future Biomedical Research.
7.1.1.1.1 General Informed Consent
Consent must be documented by the subject’s dated signature or by the subject’s legally 
acceptable representative’s dated signature on a consent form along with the dated signature 
of the person conducting the consent discussion. 
A copy of the signed and dated consent form should be given to the subject before 
participation in the trial.
The initial informed consent form, any subsequent revised written informed consent form 
and any written information provided to the subject must receive the IRB/ERC’s 
approval/favorable opinion in advance of use.  The subject or his/her legally acceptable 
representative should be informed in a timely manner if new information becomes available 
that may be relevant to the subject’s willingness to continue participation in the trial.  The 
communication of this information will be provided and documented via a revised consent 
form or addendum to the original consent form that captures the subject’s dated signature or 
by the subject’s legally acceptable representative’s dated signature.
Specifics about a trial and the trial population will be added to the consent form template at 
the protocol level.  
The informed consent will adhere to IRB/ERC requirements, applicable laws and regulations 
and Sponsor requirements.
7.1.1.1.2 Consent and Collection of Specimens for Future Biomedical Research
The investigator or qualified designee will explain the Future Biomedical Research consent 
to the subject, answer all of his/her questions, and obtain written informed consent before 
performing any procedure related to the Future Biomedical Research sub-trial.  A copy of the 
informed consent will be given to the subject.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
64
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria
7.1.1.2
All inclusion and exclusion criteria will be reviewed by the investigator or qualified designee 
to ensure that the subject qualifies for the trial.
Subject Identification Card
7.1.1.3
All subjects will be given a Subject Identification Card identifying them as participants in a 
research trial.  The card will contain trial site contact information (including direct telephone 
numbers) to be utilized in the event of an emergency.  The investigator or qualified designee 
will provide the subject with a Subject Identification Card after the subject provides written 
informed consent.
Medical History
7.1.1.4
A medical history will be obtained by the investigator or qualified designee.  In addition to 
the evaluation of a patient’s medical history in terms of study eligibility, all medical 
conditions present during the 12 months prior to study entry will be documented at the 
screening visit on the appropriate eCRF.
Any prior history of resistant bacterial infection must also be recorded. Any history of 
conditions that may predispose a subject to infection (e.g., malignancies, management of 
organ transplant, treatment for rheumatologic disease) will also be documented on the 
appropriate eCRF. 
A full evaluation of any primary and secondary infection-site diagnoses (HABP/VABP, cIAI 
and/or cUTI) will also be performed.  The details of these diagnoses will be documented 
separately on the appropriate eCRF(s). Details should include the diagnosis and any 
additional diagnostic details associated with the infection site (e.g., characterization of the 
complicated nature of the cIAI and/or cUTI).
Prior and Concomitant Medications Review
7.1.1.5
7.1.1.5.1 Prior Medications
The investigator or qualified designee will review prior medication use and record all prior 
medication taken by the subject within 14 days and any antimicrobial medications taken 
within 30 days before starting the trial.
7.1.1.5.2 Concomitant Medications
The investigator or qualified designee will record medication, if any, taken by the subject 
during the trial.
Assignment of Screening Number
7.1.1.6
All consented subjects will be given a unique screening number that will be used to identify 
the subject for all procedures that occur prior to randomization or allocation.  Each subject 
will be assigned only one screening number.  Screening numbers must not be re-used for 
different subjects.  Any subject who is screened multiple times will retain the original 
screening number assigned at the initial screening visit.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
65
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Assignment of Randomization Number
7.1.1.7
All subjects eligible for enrollment into the randomized treatment arms (Treatment Groups 1 
and 2) will be randomly allocated and will receive a randomization number.  Randomization
will be stratified by infection site (see Section 5.4 for details).  The randomization number 
identifies the subject for all procedures occurring after randomization.  
All subjects eligible for enrollment into the non-randomized, open-label arm (Treatment 
Group 3) will be allocated, by non-random assignment, and will receive an allocation
number.  The allocation number identifies the subject for all procedures occurring after 
treatment allocation.
Once a randomization number is assigned to a subject, it can never be re-assigned to another 
subject.  A single subject cannot be assigned more than 1 randomization number.
Trial Compliance (Medication/Diet/Activity/Other)
7.1.1.8
Interruptions from the protocol specified IV study therapy treatment plan of 1) greater than or 
equal to 2 doses of IV study therapy during the first 5 days of therapy; OR 2) greater than or 
equal to 4 doses of IV study therapy from Day 6 to end of therapy require consultation 
between the investigator and the Sponsor and written documentation of the collaborative 
decision on subject management.
Administration of trial medication will be performed by the blinded investigator and/or 
blinded trial staff.
Clinical Procedures/Assessments
7.1.2
Study Drug Administration
7.1.2.1
All study drugs will be reconstituted and administered in separate infusion bags according to 
a separate Pharmacy Manual.  Dosing regimens for IMI/REL (Treatment Group 1 or 
Treatment Group 3), IMI (Treatment Group 2), CMS (Treatment Group 2) and placebo for 
CMS (Treatment Group 2) are described in Section 5.2.1.1 and Section 5.2.2.  The dosing 
scheme is illustrated in Section 5.2.2, Figure 2 and the specific dosage for administration for 
each study therapy is provided in Section 5.2.1.1, Table 11 and Table 12.
An Unblinded Study Pharmacist (or qualified designee) at the study site will be responsible 
to prepare the IV study therapy for this study; this individual(s) will not be involved in any of 
the safety and efficacy evaluations of the study participants.  Due to this slight difference in 
appearance between CMS and placebo for CMS, the infusion bags will be covered in an 
opaque sleeve by the Unblinded Pharmacist (or qualified designee) to ensure that other study 
personnel and all patients remain blinded to clinical material assignment.
All infusions should be administered over 30 ± 5 minutes.  The study therapy must NOT be 
administered simultaneously through the same infusion line/lumen with any other drugs 
(including other IV study or IV non-study drugs). If another IV drug is required either prior 
to or after study drug and only 1 line is available, an appropriate volume of saline flush must 
be used between IV infusions. In instances when IMI/REL or IMI require administration at 
the same hour of the day as the CMS (or placebo to CMS), the 2 infusions should be 
administered either 1) sequentially with the IMI-containing infusion first followed by an 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
66
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
appropriate volume of saline flush prior to administration of the CMS/placebo OR, 2) via a 
separate infusion line at the same time as the CMS/placebo.  
Further details on the preparation, storage and administration of all intravenous study 
antibiotics and matching placebo by the Unblinded Study Pharmacist (or qualified designee) 
are provided in a separate Pharmacy Binder.
IV study therapy should be administered for a minimum of 5 full days for subjects with cIAI 
or cUTI or 7 full days for subjects with HABP/VABP. This translates to either 20 (cIAI, 
cUTI) or 28 (HABP/VABP) dose of IMI-containing therapy based on the q6h dosing 
regimen.  This also translates to either 10 (cIAI, cUTI) or 14 (HABP/VABP) doses of 
CMS/placebo to CMS (including a loading dose).  The total duration of IV study therapy 
should not exceed 21 days.  Duration of study therapy longer than 21 days must be approved 
by the Sponsor.
APACHE II Score
7.1.2.2
Severity of illness in this study will be determined by APACHE II score [77]. See Appendix 
12.6 for details regarding the calculation of this score. Results of APACHE II score 
calculations must be entered on the appropriate eCRF(s).
Full and Directed Physical Examinations
7.1.2.3
All physical examinations must be performed by the principal investigator or subinvestigator 
(physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner).
A complete physical examination, performed at randomization includes the following 
assessments: general appearance, head, eyes, ears/nose/ throat, neck, lymph nodes, skin, 
lungs, heart, abdomen, musculoskeletal, and neurologic evaluations. Breast, rectal, and 
genitourinary/pelvic exams should be performed when clinically indicated. If a physical 
examination was performed within 72 hours prior to screening, those results can be recorded 
and a repeat physical examination is not required.  Any abnormal or clinically significant 
findings from the physical examinations must be recorded on the appropriate eCRF.
After the initial full physical exam, a directed physical exam targeted to the subject’s illness 
and complaints will be performed at subsequent visits as specified in Section 6.0 (Trial Flow 
Chart).  
Vital Signs
7.1.2.4
Vital signs should include heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), respiratory rate (RR), and 
oral temperature.  For those subjects who are intubated and cannot sit up, HR, BP, and RR 
will be taken in a supine or semi-recumbent position.  Oral temperatures should be taken, but 
if oral is not possible, tympanic, rectal, or axillary methods are acceptable.
Subjects should be resting in a seated or semi-recumbent position for at least 10 minutes 
prior to having vital sign measurements obtained.
Any abnormal or clinically significant findings from the physical examinations must be 
recorded on the appropriate eCRF. 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
67
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Height and Weight
7.1.2.5
The subject’s height and weight should be measured prior to initiation of IV study therapy, 
and weight should be measured and recorded if a clinically significant weight change 
occurred and resulted in a change in CrCl category.
Adverse Event Monitoring
7.1.2.6
Clinical adverse events will be collected from the time of initiation of the first dose of IV 
study therapy through 14 days following completion of all IV study therapy.  In addition, 
local infusion site tolerability will be evaluated daily during IV study therapy. The 
tolerability of all study therapy at the local IV infusion site will be based on investigator 
inspection and subject comments regarding signs and symptoms of intolerance.  The IV 
infusion site should be observed daily during IV therapy to determine the presence/absence 
of erythema, induration, pain, tenderness, warmth, swelling, ulceration, local phlebitis, rash, 
or other reactions. All adverse events should be documented on the appropriate eCRF.
Laboratory adverse experiences will be based on safety laboratory tests (both central and 
local results), including hematology and chemistry tests from blood and urinalysis from 
urine. Please refer to Section 7.1.3 and 6.0 for more details on type of tests and timing of 
collection.
Please refer to Section 7.2 for details regarding assessment and documentation of adverse 
events.
Clinical Signs and Symptoms of Infection
7.1.2.7
A detailed diagnosis as well as relevant clinical information associated with diagnosis 
including clinical signs and symptoms, radiographic and laboratory characteristics related to 
the primary and any secondary bacterial infections sites will be reviewed and documented on 
the appropriate eCRFs at timepoints specified in Section 6.0 (Trial Flow Chart).
Presence or absence of specific clinical signs and symptoms relevant for each infection site
of interest (Table 13) will be recorded daily during IV study therapy and at visits specified in 
Section 6.0 (Trial Flow Chart). Intensity of signs and symptoms will also be graded by the 
investigator as mild, moderate, or severe (See Section 7.2).  
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
68
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Table 13 Infection-Site Specific Clinical Signs and Symptoms
Infection Site
Clinical Signs and Symptomsa
HABP/VABP
New onset or worsening of cough, dyspnea, tachypnea 
(e.g., respiratory rate greater than 25 breaths per minute), 
expectorated 
sputum 
production, 
requirement 
for 
mechanical ventilation, hypoxemia, need for acute changes 
in the ventilator support system to enhance oxygenation, as 
determined by worsening oxygenation (via ABG or 
PaO2/FiO2 assessment), needed changes in the amount of 
positive end-expiratory pressure, new onset of suctioned 
respiratory secretions, chills/rigors, chest pain and body 
temperature changes (fever or hypothermia)
cIAI
Body temperature (fever or hypothermia), abdominal pain, 
flank pain, pain caused by cIAI that is referred to another 
anatomic area such as back or hip, tenderness to palpation, 
rebound tenderness, guarding, mass, ascites, ileus, bowel 
sounds, need for enteral feeding, nausea and vomiting
cUTI
Body temperature (fever), chills or rigors, flank pain, 
costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness on physical 
examination, dysuria, urinary frequency, suprapubic pain,
pelvic pain, and urinary urgency, nausea and vomiting
a. Evaluation of clinical response for infection type may also include resolution of lab abnormalities present at 
baseline (see Appendix 12.5 for relevant abnormalities for each infection site).
7.1.2.7.1 Infection Source Control Review
Information related to infection source control must be collected for all subjects in the 
appropriate eCRFs.  Information collected will be specific to the site(s) of bacterial infection.  
For subjects with cUTI, baseline information associated with catheterization (e.g., recent 
surgery or instrumentation, presence of catheter/stent) as well as any details related to 
removal and/or replacement of urinary catheters at any time during the study must be 
collected.  For subjects with VABP, information regarding extubation or replacement of the 
endotracheal tube must be collected. For subjects with cIAI, details associated with the 
qualifying abdominal surgical intervention or any subsequent interventions, including an 
anonymized narrative of the operative note and/or interventional radiology report must be 
collected.
7.1.2.7.2 Chest X-Ray (HABP/VABP only)
A chest x-ray should only be performed in subjects with an infection site of HABP/VABP.  
For randomization, a chest x-ray is not required if a prior chest x-ray or chest CT has been 
performed in association with the current infection within 3 days of randomization.  All 
subjects must have a chest x-ray at the end of study therapy.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
69
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Chest x-ray results (or prior chest CT results, if relevant) including a description, location, 
and extent of infiltrates or consolidation must be documented on the appropriate eCRF(s). 
The presence of a pleural effusion and other abnormalities should also be noted.
7.1.2.7.3 PaO2/FiO2 Ratio and O2 (HABP/VABP only)
PaO2, FiO2 and O2 saturation will only be collected for subjects with an infection site of 
HABP/VABP.  PaO2, (measured by arterial blood gas in ventilated subjects who have an 
existing arterial access or planned arterial blood collection), FiO2, and O2 saturation 
(measured by pulse oximetry) must be collected on Day 1 prior to initiation of IV study 
therapy. For the treatment period between Day 2 and EOT, daily collection of all 3 
measurements is preferred; however, if PaO2 is not available (for example, because arterial 
blood gas is not clinically indicated) then at minimum FiO2 and O2 saturation should be 
documented.  These tests should also be performed at the additional visits specified in 
Section 6.0 (Trial Flow Chart).  
Laboratory Procedures/Assessments
7.1.3
Details regarding specific laboratory procedures/assessments to be performed in this trial are 
provided below. The total amount of blood/tissue to be drawn/collected over the course of 
the trial (from pre-trial to post-trial visits), including approximate blood/tissue volumes 
drawn/collected by visit and by sample type per subject can be found in Section 12.4.
Laboratory Safety Evaluations (Hematology, Chemistry and Urinalysis)
7.1.3.1
Laboratory tests for hematology, chemistry and urinalysis are specified in Table 14.
Table 14 Laboratory Tests
Hematology
Chemistry
Urinalysis
Other
Hematocrit
Albumin
Blood
Rapid urine β-human 
chorionic gonadotropin 
(β-hCG)
Hemoglobin
Alkaline phosphatase
Glucose
Serum β-hCG
Platelet count
Alanine aminotransferase 
(ALT)
Protein
WBC (total and 
differential)
Aspartate aminotransferase 
(AST)
Microscopic exam, 
if abnormal results 
are noted
Bicarbonate
Calcium
Chloride
Creatinine
Glucose
Potassium
Sodium
Total Bilirubin  
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
70
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Hematology
Chemistry
Urinalysis
Other
Direct Bilirubin, if total 
bilirubin is elevated above 
the upper limit of normal
Total protein
Blood Urea Nitrogen
With the exception of the rapid urine β-hCG (dipstick), all blood and urine samples for safety 
laboratory testing (hematology, chemistry and urinalysis) will be sent to a central safety 
laboratory for testing.  Additional details regarding biological specimen processing, handling, 
and shipment will be provided by the Sponsor in a separate laboratory manual.  Of note is 
that, following the Day 3 blood sample, blood for safety laboratory testing must be collected 
every 3 days until EOT (including EOT). Refer to Section 6.0 (Trial Flow Chart) for all 
specific time points for these laboratory assessments.  
Safety laboratory results from the central laboratory will likely not be available in a timely 
fashion for patient management purposes.  Therefore, additional laboratory tests required for 
adequate medical management of individual study participants should be obtained as 
indicated by the primary physician and submitted to the local laboratory for testing in the 
medically appropriate timeframe.  Results of these local laboratory tests must be documented 
in the subject’s medical record (or other source document).  Laboratory abnormalities 
resulting in an adverse experience or dose adjustment should also be collected on the 
appropriate eCRF. Any laboratory test abnormality that emerged during study therapy and 
was considered by the investigator to be an adverse experience or event of clinical interest 
should be repeated until the abnormal value has normalized, stabilized, or returned to 
baseline. 
Culture and Susceptibility Testing
7.1.3.2
Culture (aerobic for all infection-site specimens and anaerobic for cIAI specimens) and in 
vitro susceptibility testing of infection site specimens collected within 1 week prior to study 
entry as well as specimens collected at the study-specified time points (see Section 6.0, Trial 
Flow Chart) will be performed.  The local laboratory for each site will be provided with 
panels to determine in vitro susceptibility for IMI, IMI/REL and colistin according to 
procedures specified by the Sponsor in a separate laboratory manual.  Other susceptibility 
testing for medical management should be performed by the site's local laboratory per each 
laboratory's standard procedures. In addition to local laboratory testing, all Gram-negative 
pathogens obtained from infection-site specimens collected from randomized subjects will be 
retained by the local clinical microbiology laboratory and sent to the central microbiology 
reference laboratory.  Additional details regarding bacterial specimen collection, processing, 
handling, and shipment will be provided by the Sponsor in a separate microbiology 
laboratory manual.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
71
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
7.1.3.2.1 Prior Infection-Site Specimens
In order to be considered eligible for participation in PN013, identification and in vitro
susceptibility of infection-site pathogens from samples collected within 1 week prior to study 
entry must be determined. 
Specifically, for randomized as well as open-label, 
nonrandomized subjects, the culture-associated criteria (Inclusion Criterion #3) described in 
Section 5.1.2.1 and 5.1.2.2, respectively, must be confirmed. In order to avoid potential 
delay in receipt of effective therapy for study subjects, the local laboratory for each site will 
be provided with panels to determine in vitro susceptibility (to IMI, IMI/REL and colistin) of 
Gram-negative bacterial isolates obtained from specimen types of interest as part of routine 
standard-of-care testing at the institution.
Local laboratories will include the Sponsor-
provided susceptibility panels in parallel with routine, first-line susceptibility testing of 
specified Gram-negative bacterial isolates scheduled for in vitro susceptibility testing per 
routine standard-of-care by the site’s local laboratory (a separate microbiology laboratory 
manual will be provided for the Sponsor panels). Since subjects cannot be randomized until 
supportive culture and in-vitro susceptibility data are confirmed, information obtained from 
this routine testing will allow for rapid eligibility evaluation.  In this way, subjects can be 
randomized without delay incurred due to specimen collection and subsequent culture and 
susceptibility testing. This will also allow for enrollment of subjects who may not otherwise 
be eligible as a consequence of inability to collect baseline cultures (e.g., cIAI in whom prior 
sample was obtained perioperatively). 
Once a subject is randomized into the study and consent is obtained, all Gram-negative
pathogen(s) isolated from the specimen obtained for pre-screening must be submitted to the 
central microbiology laboratory. Culture and susceptibility data associated with pre-screening 
will also be recorded on the appropriate eCRFs. Bacterial isolates and related data will not be 
provided to the Sponsor unless consent is obtained from the study subject at the time of 
entry.
Additional details regarding bacterial specimen processing, handling, and shipment will be 
provided by the Sponsor in a separate microbiology laboratory manual.
7.1.3.2.2 On-Study Infection-Site Specimens
Infection-site specimens for culture and in vitro susceptibility testing should be obtained 
according to Section 6.0 (Trial Flow Chart).  Two sets of blood cultures, from two separate 
venipuncture (or 1 venipuncture and 1 catheter) sites are required before study therapy is 
initiated in all subjects.  Further blood cultures are required in the event of a positive result. 
For subjects with HABP/VABP or cIAI, collection of a baseline sample from the infection 
site is strongly preferred; however, for subjects in which infection site specimen collection is 
not medically acceptable, as discussed in Section 7.1.3.2.1, collection at the time of study 
entry is not required.  Additional unscheduled cultures from the infection site (HABP/VABP 
or cIAI), including susceptibility testing of any identified pathogens on culture, should also 
be performed using the panels provided by the Sponsor at any time that there is clinical or 
laboratory evidence of persistence or progression of the infectious process (including 
persistent fever, elevated white blood cell count, or significant changes in the subject’s 
clinical condition) and at the time of any surgical or drainage procedure (if required). All 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
72
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Gram-negative isolates collected from any unscheduled samples should also be provided to 
the central microbiology laboratory for testing.  
For subjects with cUTI, infection-site specimens for culture and in vitro susceptibility testing
using the panels provided by the Sponsor is required for all visits specified in Section 6.0 
(Trial Flow Chart).  Relevant culture and susceptibility data from these samples should also 
be recorded on the appropriate eCRFs.
A depiction of the process flow for collection and testing of study-related microbiology 
samples (including both samples collected prior and during the study) is shown in Figure 3.
As described in Section 7.1.3.2, the local laboratory for each site will perform in vitro
susceptibility testing on all protocol-specified infection-site and blood specimens using 
panels provided by the Sponsor.  Results from testing, including microscopy, identification 
and in vitro susceptibility (from Sponsor-provided susceptibility panels only), should be 
recorded on the appropriate eCRFs for all scheduled and any unscheduled visits.  Pure 
isolates of all Gram-negative pathogens obtained from protocol-specified infection-site 
specimens must also be sent to the central microbiology laboratory. Any additional local 
susceptibility testing required for medical management of the subject may be performed at 
the investigator’s discretion per the laboratory's standard procedures. 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
73
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Figure 3  Process Flow for Collection and Testing of Study-Related Microbiology Samples
Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Evaluations
7.1.3.3
Whole blood to obtain plasma samples will be collected for population PK analysis of REL, 
imipenem, and CIL concentrations.  Please refer to Section 6.0 (Trial Flow Chart) for 
protocol-specified time points for whole blood sample collection for population PK analyses.
Actual whole blood collection date and time for this sample must be recorded in the eCRFs. 
7.1.3.3.1 Blood Collection for Plasma for MK-7655
Sample collection, storage and shipment instructions for PK samples will be provided in a 
separate laboratory manual. 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
74
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Future Biomedical Research
7.1.3.4
The following specimens are to be obtained as part of Future Biomedical Research:

Blood for genomics use
Efficacy Evaluation
7.1.3.5
7.1.3.5.1 Clinical Response
Clinical signs and symptoms of infection (e.g., fever) as well as local signs of infection will 
be assessed at visits specified in Section 6.0 (Trial Flow Chart) in support of determination of 
a clinical response rating for each subject. Based on comparison to baseline clinical signs and 
symptoms of the subject’s infection(s), the investigator will determine and record the clinical 
response rating at each visit as described in Section 4.2.3.1.1.1.2 (Table 3, Table 4, and Table 
5).  In subjects with multiple infection types, a single clinical response rating will be 
determined and therefore pre-therapy signs and symptoms of all infections present at baseline 
must be considered in determining the response.  A detailed list of disease-specific signs and 
symptoms in support of evaluation of the clinical response rating are included in Section 
7.1.2.7, Table 13 and Appendix 12.5.
7.1.3.5.2 By-Pathogen Microbiological Response
Microbiological response will be evaluated separately for each baseline pathogen meeting the 
culture criteria in Section 5.1.2.1 and 5.1.2.2 Inclusion #3 (i.e., by-pathogen) in subjects with 
cUTI at OTX, EOT and EFU relative to the pathogen(s) isolated at baseline/admission.  The 
by-pathogen microbiological response rating will be determined by the Sponsor at the visits 
specified in Section 6.0 (Trial Flow Chart) based on local laboratory results (per eCRF data 
provided by the investigator) of infection-site and/or blood cultures collected at each visit 
relative to the pathogen(s) isolated at baseline/admission as described in Section 4.2.3.1.1.1.3 
(Table 6, Table 7, and Table 8).  For a bacterial organism to be considered a pathogen at 
admission, it must be a typical uropathogen (i.e., not a normal colonizer or contaminant).  
7.1.3.5.3 Survival Assessment
For each subject, survival status (i.e., whether the subject is alive or dead) at Day 28 post-
randomization will be collected.  Results of the assessment, including date and cause of death 
if relevant, will be recorded on the appropriate eCRF.
Other Procedures
7.1.4
Withdrawal/Discontinuation
7.1.4.1
Subjects who discontinue/withdraw from IV study therapy prior to completion of the IV 
study therapy regimen should continue to be followed for all remaining study visits.
When a subject discontinues/withdraws from participation in the trial, all applicable activities 
scheduled for the final trial visit should be performed at the time of discontinuation.  Any 
adverse events which are present at the time of discontinuation/withdrawal should be 
followed in accordance with the safety requirements outlined in Section 7.2 - Assessing and 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
75
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Recording Adverse Events. Please refer to Section 5.8 for trial-specific subject 
discontinuation criteria.
7.1.4.1.1 Withdrawal From Future Biomedical Research
Subjects may withdraw their consent for Future Biomedical Research and have their 
specimens and all derivatives destroyed.   Subjects may withdraw consent at any time by 
contacting the principal investigator for the main trial.  If medical records for the main trial 
are still available, the investigator will contact the Sponsor using the designated mailbox 
, and a form will be provided by the Sponsor to 
obtain appropriate information to complete specimen withdrawal.  Subsequently, the 
subject's specimens will be removed from the biorepository and be destroyed.  A letter will 
be sent from the Sponsor to the investigator confirming the destruction. It is the 
responsibility of the investigator to inform the subject of completion of destruction.  Any 
analyses in progress at the time of request for destruction or already performed prior to the 
request being received by the Sponsor will continue to be used as part of the overall research 
trial data and results.   No new analyses would be generated after the request is received.
In the event that the medical records for the main trial are no longer available (e.g., if the 
investigator is no longer required by regulatory authorities to retain the main trial records) or 
the specimens have been completely anonymized, there will no longer be a link between the 
subject’s personal information and their specimens.  In this situation, the request for 
specimen destruction cannot be processed.
Blinding/Unblinding
7.1.4.2
When the investigator or sub-investigator needs to identify the drug used by a subject and the 
dosage administered in case of emergency e.g., the occurrence of serious adverse 
experiences, he/she will contact the emergency unblinding call center by telephone and make 
a request for emergency unblinding.  As requested by the investigator or sub-investigator the 
emergency unblinding call center will provide the information to him/her promptly and 
report unblinding to the sponsor.  The emergency unblinding call-center will make a record 
promptly however, the investigator or sub-investigator must enter the intensity of the adverse 
experiences observed,   their relation to study drug, the reason thereof, etc., in the medical 
chart etc., before unblinding is performed.  
Additionally, the investigator must go into the IVRS system and perform the unblind in the 
IVRS system to update drug disposition.  In the event that the emergency unblinding call 
center is not available for a given site in this trial, IVRS/IWRS should be used for emergency 
unblinding in the event that this is required for subject safety.
In the event that unblinding has occurred, the circumstances around the unblinding (e.g., date 
and reason) must be documented promptly, and the Sponsor Clinical Director notified as 
soon as possible.  Only the principal investigator or delegate and the respective subject’s 
code should be unblinded.  Trial site personnel and Sponsor personnel directly associated 
with the conduct of the trial should not be unblinded.
At the end of the trial, random code/disclosure envelopes or lists and unblinding logs are to 
be returned to the Sponsor or designee.
 
 
04R3DR
PPD
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
76
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Visit Requirements
7.1.5
Visit requirements are outlined in Section 6.0 - Trial Flow Chart.   Specific procedure-related 
details are provided above in Section 7.1 - Trial Procedures.
Screening
7.1.5.1
Within 24 hours prior to randomization, potential subjects will be evaluated to determine that 
they fulfill the entry requirements as set forth in Section 5.1.  Screening procedures may be 
repeated in some circumstances after consultation with the Sponsor.
Treatment Period
7.1.5.2
IV study therapy should be administered for a minimum of 5 full days for subjects with cIAI 
or cUTI or 7 full days for subjects with HABP/VABP. This translates to either 20 (cIAI, 
cUTI) or 28 (HABP/VABP) dose of IMI-containing therapy based on the q6h dosing 
regimen.  This also translates to either 10 (cIAI, cUTI) or 14 (HABP/VABP) doses of 
CMS/placebo to CMS.  The total duration of IV study therapy should not exceed 21 days.  
Duration of study therapy longer than 21 days must be approved by the Sponsor.
Post-Therapy
7.1.5.3
An EFU (Day 5 to 9 post-therapy) and a Day 28 post-randomization visit must be completed 
for each subject.  Depending on the total duration of IV study therapy, the EFU and Day 28 
post-randomization visit may be combined into a single visit.  These visits may only be 
combined as long as compliance with the protocol-specified visit windows is maintained for 
both visits.  Specifically, if a subject receives 17 to 21 days of IV study therapy, the EFU
visit may potentially be combined with the Day 28 visit.  For example, if 17 days of IV 
therapy are provided, the EFU visit could be scheduled 11 days (9+2) following completion 
of therapy which would be 28 days (17 days of IV therapy +11 days of follow-up) following 
randomization. It is required that for any case, the allowable visit window ranges are 
maintained and all procedures required for each visit must be completed for the combined 
visit. For durations of study therapy longer than 21 days, combining visits should be 
discussed with the Sponsor.
A Safety Follow-Up Visit (Day 14 post-therapy) is required if the Day 28 (+3 day-window) 
post-randomization visit occurs prior to 14 days following EOT.  In order to obtain a full 14 
days of safety follow-up following EOT, subjects who receive ≥18 days of therapy would 
require this Safety Follow-Up Visit since 18 + 14 would be outside of the window for the 
Day 28 visit.  
Assessing and Recording Adverse Events
7.2
An adverse event is defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a patient or clinical 
investigation subject administered a pharmaceutical product and which does not necessarily 
have to have a causal relationship with this treatment. An adverse event can therefore be any 
unfavourable and unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory finding, for example), 
symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product or protocol-
specified procedure, whether or not considered related to the medicinal product or protocol-
specified procedure.  Any worsening (i.e., any clinically significant adverse change in 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
77
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
frequency and/or intensity) of a preexisting condition that is temporally associated with the 
use of the Sponsor’s product, is also an adverse event.
Changes resulting from normal growth and development that do not vary significantly in 
frequency or severity from expected levels are not to be considered adverse events.  
Examples of this may include, but are not limited to, teething, typical crying in infants and 
children and onset of menses or menopause occurring at a physiologically appropriate time.
Sponsor's product includes any pharmaceutical product, biological product, device, 
diagnostic agent or protocol-specified procedure, whether investigational (including placebo 
or active comparator medication) or marketed, manufactured by, licensed by, provided by or 
distributed by the Sponsor for human use.
Adverse events may occur during  clinical trials, or as prescribed in clinical practice, from 
overdose (whether accidental or intentional), from abuse and from withdrawal.
All adverse events that occur after the consent form is signed but before randomization must 
be reported by the investigator if they cause the subject to be excluded from the trial, or are 
the result of a protocol-specified intervention, including but not limited to washout or 
discontinuation of usual therapy, diet, placebo treatment or a procedure. From the time of 
randomization through 14 days following cessation of treatment, all adverse events must be 
reported by the investigator. Such events will be recorded at each examination on the 
Adverse Event case report forms/worksheets.  The reporting timeframe for adverse events 
meeting any serious criteria is described in section 7.2.3.1. The investigator will make every 
attempt to follow all subjects with non-serious adverse events for outcome.
Electronic reporting procedures can be found in the EDC data entry guidelines. Paper 
reporting procedures can be found in the Investigator Trial File Binder (or equivalent).
Definition of an Overdose for This Protocol and Reporting of Overdose to the 
7.2.1
Sponsor
In this trial, an overdose in study therapy is defined as administration of a total daily dose of 
IMI/REL in excess of 4 g (IMI) + 2 g (REL) OR a total daily dose of IMI in excess of 4 g per 
day OR a total daily dose of CMS in excess of the protocol-specified doses in Section
5.2.1.1, Table 12.
If an adverse event(s) is associated with (“results from”) the overdose of Sponsor's product or 
vaccine, the adverse event(s) is reported as a serious adverse event, even if no other 
seriousness criteria are met.
If a dose of Sponsor's product or vaccine meeting the protocol definition of overdose is taken 
without any associated clinical symptoms or abnormal laboratory results, the overdose is 
reported as a non-serious Event of Clinical Interest (ECI), using the terminology “accidental 
or intentional overdose without adverse effect.”
All reports of overdose with and without an adverse event must be reported by the 
investigator within 24 hours to the Sponsor either by electronic media or paper. Electronic 
reporting procedures can be found in the EDC data entry guidelines. Paper reporting 
procedures can be found in the Investigator Trial File Binder (or equivalent).
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
78
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Reporting of Pregnancy and Lactation to the Sponsor
7.2.2
Although pregnancy and lactation are not considered adverse events, it is the responsibility of 
investigators or their designees to report any pregnancy or lactation in a subject 
(spontaneously reported to them) that occurs during the trial.
Pregnancies and lactations that occur after the consent form is signed but before 
randomization must be reported by the investigator if they cause the subject to be excluded 
from the trial, or are the result of a protocol-specified intervention, including but not limited 
to washout or discontinuation of usual therapy, diet, placebo treatment or a procedure.  
Pregnancies and lactations that occur from the time of randomization through 14 days 
following cessation of Sponsor’s product must be reported by the investigator.  All reported 
pregnancies must be followed to the completion/termination of the pregnancy. Pregnancy 
outcomes of spontaneous abortion, missed abortion, benign hydatidiform mole, blighted 
ovum, fetal death, intrauterine death, miscarriage and stillbirth must be reported as serious 
events (Important Medical Events). If the pregnancy continues to term, the outcome (health 
of infant) must also be reported.
Such events must be reported within 24 hours to the Sponsor either by electronic media or 
paper. Electronic reporting procedures can be found in the EDC data entry guidelines. Paper 
reporting procedures can be found in the Investigator Trial File Binder (or equivalent).
Immediate Reporting of Adverse Events to the Sponsor
7.2.3
Serious Adverse Events
7.2.3.1
A serious adverse event is any adverse event occurring at any dose or during any use of 
Sponsor's product that:
●
Results in death;
●
Is life threatening;
●
Results in persistent or significant disability/incapacity;
●
Results in or prolongs an existing inpatient hospitalization;
●
Is a congenital anomaly/birth defect;
●
Is an other important medical event 
Note: In addition to the above criteria, adverse events meeting either of the below criteria, 
although not serious per ICH definition, are reportable to the Sponsor in the same timeframe 
as SAEs to meet certain local requirements. Therefore, these events are considered serious by 
the Sponsor for collection purposes.
●
Is a cancer;
●
Is associated with an overdose.
Refer to Table 15 for additional details regarding each of the above criteria.
For the time period beginning when the consent form is signed until randomization, any 
serious adverse event, or follow up to a serious adverse event, including death due to any 
cause, that occurs to any subject must be reported within 24 hours to the Sponsor if it causes 
the subject to be excluded from the trial, or is the result of a protocol-specified intervention, 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
79
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
including but not limited to washout or discontinuation of usual therapy, diet, placebo 
treatment or a procedure.
For the time period beginning at randomization through 14 days following cessation of 
treatment, any serious adverse event, or follow up to a serious adverse event, including death 
due to any cause, whether or not related to the Sponsor's product, must be reported within 24 
hours to the Sponsor either by electronic media or paper. Electronic reporting procedures can 
be found in the EDC data entry guidelines. Paper reporting procedures can be found in the 
Investigator Trial File Binder (or equivalent).
Additionally, any serious adverse event, considered by an investigator who is a qualified 
physician to be related to the Sponsor's product that is brought to the attention of the 
investigator at any time outside of the time period specified in the previous paragraph also 
must be reported immediately to the Sponsor. 
All subjects with serious adverse events must be followed up for outcome.
Events of Clinical Interest
7.2.3.2
Selected non-serious and serious adverse events are also known as Events of Clinical Interest 
(ECI) and must be reported to the Sponsor.
For the time period beginning when the consent form is signed until randomization, any ECI, 
or follow up to an ECI, that occurs to any subject must be reported within 24 hours to the 
Sponsor if it causes the subject to be excluded from the trial, or is the result of a protocol-
specified intervention, including but not limited to washout or discontinuation of usual 
therapy, diet, placebo treatment or a procedure.
For the time period beginning at randomization through 14 days following cessation of 
treatment, any ECI, or follow up to an ECI, whether or not related to the Sponsor’s product, 
must be reported within 24 hours to the Sponsor, either by electronic media or paper.  
Electronic reporting procedures can be found in the EDC data entry guidelines.  Paper 
reporting procedures can be found in the Investigator Trial File Binder (or equivalent).
Events of clinical interest for this trial include:
1. an overdose of Sponsor's product, as defined in Section 7.2.1 - Definition of an Overdose 
for This Protocol and Reporting of Overdose to the Sponsor, that is not associated with 
clinical symptoms or abnormal laboratory results. 
2. post baseline laboratory test values that meet the following criteria: an elevated AST or 
ALT lab value that is greater than or equal to 3X the upper limit of normal and an 
elevated total bilirubin lab value that is greater than or equal to 2X the upper limit of 
normal and, at the same time, an alkaline phosphatase lab value that is less than 2X the 
upper limit of normal, as determined by way of protocol-specified laboratory testing or 
unscheduled laboratory testing.*
*Note:  These criteria are based upon available regulatory guidance documents. The 
purpose of the criteria is to specify a threshold of abnormal hepatic tests that may require 
an additional evaluation for an underlying etiology.  The trial site guidance for 
assessment and follow up of these criteria can be found in the Investigator Trial File 
Binder.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
80
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
3. a confirmed (i.e., verified by repeat testing) elevated AST or ALT laboratory value that is 
greater than or equal to 5 × ULN as a result of within-protocol-specific testing or 
unscheduled testing.
NOTE:  In subjects with pre-existing elevations in transaminase values, only a further 
elevation that is not anticipated from an underlying medical condition will be considered 
an ECI.  These events may require an additional evaluation for an underlying etiology.  
The trial site guidance for assessment and follow up of these criteria can be found in the 
Investigator Trial File Binder.
Evaluating Adverse Events
7.2.4
An investigator who is a qualified physician will evaluate all adverse events with respect to 
the elements outlined in Table 15. The investigator’s assessment of causality is required for 
each adverse event.  Refer to Table 15 for instructions in evaluating adverse events.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
81
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Table 15 Evaluating Adverse Events
Maximum
Mild
awareness of sign or symptom, but easily tolerated  (for pediatric trials, awareness of symptom, but easily tolerated)
Intensity
Moderate
discomfort enough to cause interference with usual activity (for pediatric trials, definitely acting like something is wrong)
Severe
incapacitating with inability to work or do usual activity (for pediatric trials, extremely distressed or unable to do usual activities)
Seriousness
A serious adverse event (AE) is any adverse event occurring at any dose or during any use of Sponsor's product that:
†Results in death; or
†Is life threatening; or places the subject, in the view of the investigator, at immediate risk of death from the event as it occurred [Note: This does not include an 
adverse event  that, had it occurred in a more severe form, might have caused death.]; or
†Results in a persistent or significant disability/incapacity (substantial disruption of one’s ability to conduct normal life functions); or
†Results in or prolongs an existing inpatient hospitalization (hospitalization is defined as an inpatient admission, regardless of length of stay, even if the 
hospitalization is a precautionary measure for continued observation.   (Note:  Hospitalization [including hospitalization for an elective procedure] for a preexisting 
condition which has not worsened does not constitute a serious adverse event.); or
†Is a congenital anomaly/birth defect  (in offspring of subject taking the product regardless of time to diagnosis); or
Is a cancer (although not serious per ICH definition, is reportable to the Sponsor within 24 hours to meet certain local requirements); or
Is associated with an overdose (whether accidental or intentional).  Any adverse event associated with an overdose is considered a serious adverse event for 
collection purposes. An overdose that is not associated with an adverse event is considered a non-serious event of clinical interest and must be reported within 24 
hours.
Other important medical events that may not result in death, not be life threatening, or not require hospitalization may be considered a serious adverse event when, 
based upon appropriate medical judgment, the event may jeopardize the subject and may require medical or surgical intervention to prevent one of the outcomes listed 
previously (designated above by a †).
Duration
Record the start and stop dates of the adverse event.  If less than 1 day, indicate the appropriate length of time and units
Action taken 
Did the adverse event cause the Sponsor's product to be discontinued?
Relationship to 
Sponsor's 
Product
Did the Sponsor's product cause the adverse event?   The determination of the likelihood that the Sponsor's product caused the adverse event will be provided by an 
investigator who is a qualified physician.  The investigator’s signed/dated initials on the source document or worksheet that supports the causality noted on the AE 
form, ensures that a medically qualified assessment of causality was done.  This initialed document must be retained for the required regulatory time frame.  The 
criteria below are intended as reference guidelines to assist the investigator in assessing the likelihood of a relationship between the test drug and the adverse event 
based upon the available information. 
The following components are to be used to assess the relationship between the Sponsor's product and the AE; the greater the correlation with the components 
and their respective elements (in number and/or intensity), the more likely the Sponsor's product caused the adverse event:
Exposure
Is there evidence that the subject was actually exposed to the Sponsor's product such as:  reliable history, acceptable compliance assessment (pill 
count, diary, etc.), expected pharmacologic effect, or measurement of drug/metabolite in bodily specimen?
Time Course
Did the AE follow in a reasonable temporal sequence from administration of the Sponsor's product?
Is the time of onset of the AE compatible with a drug-induced effect (applies to trials with investigational medicinal product)?
Likely Cause
Is the AE not reasonably explained by another etiology such as underlying disease, other drug(s)/vaccine(s), or other host or environmental 
factors
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
82
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Relationship
The following components are to be used to assess the relationship between the Sponsor's product and the AE:  (continued)
to 
Sponsor's 
Product
(continued) 
Dechallenge
Was the Sponsor's product discontinued or dose/exposure/frequency reduced?
      If yes, did the AE resolve or improve?
           If yes, this is a positive dechallenge.    If no, this is a negative dechallenge.
(Note:  This criterion is not applicable if:  (1) the AE resulted in death or permanent disability; (2) the AE resolved/improved despite 
continuation of the Sponsor's product; (3) the trial is a single-dose drug trial); or (4) Sponsor's product(s) is/are only used one time.)
Rechallenge
Was the subject re-exposed to the Sponsor's product in this trial?
      If yes, did the AE recur or worsen?
          If yes, this is a positive rechallenge.    If no, this is a negative rechallenge.
(Note:  This criterion is not applicable if:  (1) the initial AE resulted in death or permanent disability, or (2) the trial is a single-dose drug trial); 
or (3) Sponsor's product(s) is/are used only one time.)
NOTE:  IF A RECHALLENGE IS PLANNED FOR AN ADVERSE EVENT WHICH WAS SERIOUS AND WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN 
CAUSED BY THE SPONSOR'S PRODUCT, OR IF RE-EXPOSURE TO THE SPONSOR'S PRODUCT POSES ADDITIONAL POTENTIAL 
SIGNIFICANT RISK TO THE SUBJECT THEN THE RECHALLENGE MUST BE APPROVED IN ADVANCE BY THE U.S. CLINICAL 
DIRECTOR AND THE INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD/INDEPENDENT ETHICS COMMITTEE.
Consistency 
with 
Trial 
Treatment 
Profile
Is the clinical/pathological presentation of the AE consistent with previous knowledge regarding the Sponsor's product or drug class 
pharmacology or toxicology?
The assessment of relationship will be reported on the case report forms /worksheets by an investigator who is a qualified physician according to his/her best clinical judgment, including 
consideration of the above elements.
Record one of the following:
Use the following scale of criteria as guidance (not all criteria must be present to be indicative of a Sponsor's product relationship).
Yes, 
there 
is 
a 
reasonable 
possibility of Sponsor's product 
relationship.
There is evidence of exposure to the Sponsor's product.  The temporal sequence of the AE onset relative to the administration of the Sponsor's 
product is reasonable.  The AE is more likely explained by the Sponsor's product than by another cause. 
No, there is not a reasonable 
possibility of Sponsor's product 
relationship
Subject did not receive the Sponsor's product OR temporal sequence of the AE onset relative to administration of the Sponsor's product is not 
reasonable OR the AE is more likely explained by another cause than the Sponsor’s product.  (Also entered for a subject with overdose without 
an associated AE.)
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
83
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Sponsor Responsibility for Reporting Adverse Events
7.2.5
All Adverse Events will be reported to regulatory authorities, IRB/IECs and investigators in 
accordance with all applicable global laws and regulations.
TRIAL GOVERNANCE AND OVERSIGHT
7.3
Scientific Advisory Committee
7.3.1
This trial was developed in collaboration with a Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC).  The 
SAC comprises both Sponsor and non-Sponsor scientific experts who provide input with 
respect to trial design, interpretation of trial results and subsequent peer-reviewed scientific 
publications.
8.0 STATISTICAL ANALYSIS PLAN
This section outlines the statistical analysis strategy and procedures for the study. If, after the 
study has begun, but prior to any unblinding, changes are made to primary and/or key 
secondary hypotheses, or the statistical methods related to those hypotheses, then the 
protocol will be amended (consistent with ICH Guideline E-9).  Changes to exploratory or 
other non-confirmatory analyses made after the protocol has been finalized, along with an 
explanation as to when and why they occurred, will be listed in the Clinical Study Report 
(CSR) for the study.  Post hoc exploratory analyses will be clearly identified in the CSR.  No 
separate Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP) will be issued for this study.
Statistical Analysis Plan Summary
8.1
This section contains a brief summary of the statistical analyses for this trial. Full detail is in 
the Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP) (Section 8.2).
Efficacy Analysis
8.1.1
This study will randomize approximately 54 subjects in a 2:1 ratio into 2 treatment groups 
(Group 1: IMI/REL and Group 2: CMS + IMI) in order to obtain a minimum of 45 subjects 
(15 per infection type) who meet the criteria for inclusion in the microbiological modified 
intent-to-treat (mMITT) population.
The mMITT population is defined as all randomized subjects who receive at least one dose
of each study drug within a given IV study therapy regimen, and who have a baseline 
bacterial pathogen meeting inclusion criterion #3; in the case of a polymicrobial infection, at 
least one pathogen must satisfy the requirements of inclusion criterion #3, and all pathogens 
identified at the baseline time point must be susceptible to both IMI/REL and colistin.  An 
additional 5 to 10 subjects with imipenem-resistant and colistin-resistant bacterial infection 
will be enrolled into a third non-randomized, open-label treatment group (Group 3: 
IMI/REL).  The analysis and summarization of the efficacy data will be limited to point 
estimates and summary statistics such as 95% confidence intervals. No inferential testing 
between the treatment groups will be performed. 
The primary objective of the study is to estimate the proportion of subjects with a favorable 
overall response within each of the randomized treatment groups (Group 1: IMI/REL and 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
84
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Group 2: CMS + IMI). This primary estimation will incorporate data from three different 
subgroups of subjects defined by infection site (HABP/VABP, cIAI, and cUTI).  Within each 
infection type, favorable overall response is defined differently and this information will be 
pooled to provide an estimate of favorable overall response. In addition, an estimate of 
favorable response within each of Treatment Group 1 (IMI/REL) and Treatment Group 2 
(CMS + IMI) will be provided for each infection type.  Favorable overall response will be 
estimated based on the following: (a) survival status (based upon all-cause mortality) through 
Day 28 post-randomization in subjects with HABP/VABP, (b) clinical response at Day 28 
post-randomization for subjects with cIAI and (c) the composite clinical and microbiological 
response at the early follow-up visit, EFU (Day 5 to 9 following completion of therapy) for 
subjects with cUTI. In addition, the difference between Treatment Group 1 (IMI/REL) and 
Treatment Group 2 (CMS + IMI) will be estimated along with a 90% confidence interval.  
The within-group 95% confidence intervals will be calculated using the Agresti & Coull 
method. The between-group 90% confidence interval will be calculated using the Miettinen 
and Nurminen method [78].
Key secondary efficacy objectives of the study are to estimate: 1) the proportion of subjects 
with a favorable clinical response within each of Treatment Group 1 (IMI/REL) and 
Treatment Group 2 (CMS + IMI) at Day 28 post-randomization, and 2) the incidence of all-
cause mortality through Day 28 post-randomization in Treatment Group 1 (IMI/REL) and in 
Treatment Group 2 (CMS + IMI). In addition, the difference between Treatment Group 1 
(IMI/REL) and Treatment Group 2 (CMS + IMI) will be estimated along with the 90% 
confidence interval for these key secondary endpoints.
IV study therapy will be administered for a minimum of either 5 (cIAI and cUTI) or 7 
(HABP/VABP) days up to a maximum of 21 days, unless a longer duration is approved by 
the Sponsor (see Section 7.1.2.1).  The duration of therapy will be summarized by treatment 
group for the overall population as well as by infection site.  In addition, the impact of any 
difference in duration of therapy on the treatment group comparisons will be assessed.
The primary and key secondary endpoints, primary analysis population, and statistical 
methods that will be employed for the efficacy analyses are presented in Table 16.  The 
mMITT population will serve as the primary population for efficacy analyses in this study.  
Safety Analysis
8.1.2
The All-Subjects-as-Treated (ASaT) population will be employed for safety analyses. The 
ASaT population consists of all subjects who received at least one dose of IV study therapy.  
The ASaT includes non-randomized subjects in Treatment Group 3 (IMI/REL), as well as 
randomized subjects in Treatment Group 1 (IMI/REL) and Treatment Group 2 (CMS + IMI).  
Any safety analysis that involves a comparison of IMI/REL to CMS + IMI will be based on
Treatment Group 1 and Treatment Group 2 (the randomized treatment groups). Safety for 
Treatment Group 3(the non-randomized treatment group) will be summarized separately 
using descriptive statistics.
A stated key secondary safety objective of the study is to estimate the proportion of subjects 
who experience treatment-emergent nephrotoxicity in Treatment Group 1 (IMI/REL) and in 
Treatment Group 2 (CMS + IMI).  The incidence of treatment-emergent nephrotoxicity will 
be compared between Treatment Group 1 (IMI/REL) and Treatment Group 2 (CMS + IMI).
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
85
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Table 16 Summary of Analysis Strategy for Primary and Key Secondary Endpoints
Endpoint/Variable
(Description, Timepoint)
Statistical Method
Analysis 
Population
Missing Data 
Approach
Primary:
Proportion of subjects with an 
favorable overall response
95% confidence interval 
(Agresti & Coull) for 
single group proportion
mMITTa
Missing = 
Failure
Key Secondary:
Proportion of subjects with 
favorable clinical response at Day 
28 post randomization
95% confidence interval 
(Agresti & Coull) for 
single group proportion
mMITTa
Missing = 
Failure
Proportion of subjects with all-
cause mortality at Day 28 post 
randomization
95% confidence interval 
(Agresti & Coull) for 
single group proportion
mMITTa
Missing = 
Failure
Proportion of subjects who 
experience treatment-emergent 
nephrotoxicity
95% confidence interval 
(Agresti & Coull) for 
single group proportion
and Fisher Exact Test
ASaTa
Data as 
Observed
a
The mMITT population is defined as all randomized subjects who receive at least one dose of each study drug within a 
given IV study therapy regimen, and who have a baseline bacterial pathogen meeting inclusion criterion #3; in the case 
of a polymicrobial infection, at least one pathogen must satisfy the requirements of inclusion criterion #3, and all 
pathogens identified at the baseline time point must be susceptible to both IMI/REL and colistin. The ASaT population 
consists of all subjects who received at least one dose of IV study therapy.
Power and Sample Size
8.1.3
This study will randomize approximately 54 subjects in a 2:1 ratio into 2 treatment groups 
(Group 1: IMI/REL and Group 2: CMS + IMI) in order to obtain a minimum of 45 subjects 
(15 per infection type) who meet the criteria for inclusion in the microbiological modified 
intent-to-treat (mMITT) population. An additional 5 to 10 subjects with imipenem-resistant
and colistin-resistant bacterial infection will be enrolled into a third non-randomized, open-
label treatment group (Group 3: IMI/REL).  This is an estimation study; no formal statistical 
testing will be performed for the efficacy endpoints.  The sample sizes planned for the study 
arise from logistic feasibility and are not driven by statistical considerations.
Statistical Analysis Plan
8.2
Responsibility for Analyses/In-House Blinding
8.2.1
The statistical analyses of the data obtained from this study will be the responsibility of the 
Clinical Biostatistics department of the Sponsor.  Certain specific analyses such as PK and 
the evaluation of PK/PD association will be the responsibility of the appropriate departments 
of the Sponsor.
Separate functional unblinding for bioanalysis will be conducted in support of PK
evaluations. A small team as specified in a separate Modeling and Simulation (M&S) 
Modeling Analysis Plan, and who are separate from the study team, will be unblinded for the 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
86
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
purpose of preparing the PK analyses. No interim data or results will be shared with the study 
team before the primary analyses have been completed, and the unblinded group will not be 
members of the study team. No decisions are made based on this functional unblinding that 
will influence the conduct of the trial.
This study will be conducted as a double-blind study under in-house blinding procedures 
(except for Treatment group 3). The official, final database will not be unblinded until 
medical/scientific review has been performed, protocol violators have been identified, and 
data have been declared final and complete.
The Clinical Biostatistics department will generate the randomized allocation schedule(s) for 
study treatment assignment. Randomization will be implemented in IVRS.
Hypotheses/Estimation
8.2.2
Objectives and hypotheses of the study are stated in Section 3.
Analysis Endpoints
8.2.3
Efficacy and safety endpoints that will be evaluated are listed below.
Efficacy Endpoints
8.2.3.1
A full description of the efficacy measures is provided in Section 4.2.3.1.  The primary 
efficacy endpoint is the proportion of subjects with a favorable overall response as assessed 
for each of the three infection types. Key secondary endpoints are: 1) the proportion of 
subjects with a favorable clinical response at 28 days following initiation of IV study therapy 
and 2) the incidence of all-cause mortality within 28 days after initiation of study therapy.
Other secondary endpoints include: 1) the proportion of subjects with a favorable clinical 
response at the OTX, EOT and EFU timepoints, 2) the proportion of subjects with a 
favorable microbiological response at the OTX, EOT and EFU timepoints, and 3) the 
proportion of subjects with favorable overall response for each infection type.  
The duration of IV study therapy will be summarized by treatment group for each of the 
infection types.  The proportion of subjects with favorable clinical and microbiological 
response will be assessed separately for each pathogen identified at baseline as exploratory 
endpoints.
The proportion of subjects with a favorable clinical response at all endpoint visits and a 
favorable microbiological response (cUTI) at OTX, EOT and EFU will be summarized for 
Treatment Group 3 subjects as exploratory efficacy endpoints. 
Safety Endpoints
8.2.3.2
A description of safety measures is provided in Section 4.2.3.2.
The proportion of subjects who experience treatment-emergent nephrotoxicity will be 
summarized by treatment group. In addition, Treatment Group 1 (IMI/REL) and Treatment 
Group 2 (CMS + IMI) will be compared with respect to the incidence of treatment-emergent 
nephrotoxicity.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
87
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
The rest of the safety analysis will follow a tiered approach and will use only data from the 
randomized treatment groups: Treatment Group 1 (IMI/REL) and Treatment Group 2 (CMS 
+ IMI). The tiers differ with respect to the analyses that will be performed. Safety parameters 
or adverse experiences of special interest that are identified a priori constitute “Tier 1” safety 
endpoints that will be subject to inferential testing for statistical significance with p-values 
and 95% confidence intervals provided for between-group comparisons. Other safety 
parameters will be considered Tier 2 or Tier 3.  Tier 2 parameters (requires that at least 4 
subjects in at least one treatment group exhibit the event) will be assessed via point estimates 
with 95% confidence intervals provided for between-group comparisons; only point 
estimates by treatment group are provided for Tier 3 safety parameters.
For this protocol, the following are pre-specified events of interest (Tier 1 events).
1. Treatment-emergent nephrotoxicity as defined in Table 9.
2. An elevated AST or ALT laboratory value that is greater than or equal to 3 X ULN 
and an elevated total bilirubin laboratory value that is greater than or equal to 2 X 
ULN and, at the same time, an alkaline phosphatase laboratory value that is less than 
2 X ULN, as a result of within-protocol-specific testing or unscheduled testing.
3. A confirmed (i.e., verified by repeat testing) elevated AST or ALT laboratory value 
that is greater than or equal to 5 X ULN as a result of within-protocol-specific testing 
or unscheduled testing.
The broad clinical and laboratory adverse experience (AE) categories, consisting of the 
percentage of subjects with any AE, a drug-related AE, a serious AE, an AE which is both 
drug related and serious, who discontinued IV study therapy due to an AE, and who 
discontinued IV study therapy due to a drug-related AE, will be considered Tier 2 endpoints.  
Please refer to Section 8.2.5.2 for further details regarding these safety endpoints and their 
analyses.
Analysis Populations
8.2.4
Efficacy Analysis Populations
8.2.4.1
The microbiological modified Intention to Treat (mMITT) population will serve as the 
primary population for efficacy analyses in this study.  The mMITT population is defined as 
all randomized subjects who receive at least one dose of each study drug within a given IV 
study therapy regimen, and who have a baseline bacterial pathogen meeting inclusion 
criterion #3.  In the case of a polymicrobial infection, at least one pathogen must satisfy the 
requirements of inclusion criterion #3, and all pathogens identified at the baseline time point 
must be susceptible to both IMI/REL and colistin.  Subjects will be included in the treatment 
group to which they are randomized for the analysis of efficacy data using the mMITT 
population.
The per-protocol (PP) population will serve as the secondary population for the primary 
efficacy endpoint (proportion of subjects with a favorable overall response as assessed for 
each of the three infection types).  The PP population is a subset of the mMITT population 
who also meet the following criteria:
1. Meet important diagnostic criteria for entry into the study, 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
88
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
2. Have no significant deviation from the protocol that could impact the assessment of 
efficacy, and
3. Receive the minimum duration of IV study therapy as detailed in Section 5.2
The final exclusion criteria and list of patients who will be excluded from the PP population 
will be documented prior to unblinding.  
Details on the approach to handling missing data are provided in Section 8.2.5 (Statistical 
Methods).  
Safety Analysis Populations
8.2.4.2
The ASaT population will be used for the analysis of safety data in this study. The ASaT 
population consists of all subjects who received at least one dose of IV study therapy. The 
ASaT includes non-randomized subjects in Treatment Group 3 (IMI/REL), as well as 
randomized subjects in Treatment Group 1 (IMI/REL) and Treatment Group 2 (CMS + IMI).
Subjects will be included in the therapy group corresponding to the study therapy they 
actually received for the analysis of safety data using the ASaT population.  Subjects who are 
administered incorrect study therapy for the entire treatment period will be included in the 
therapy group corresponding to the study therapy actually received.  
At least one laboratory or vital sign measurement obtained subsequent to at least one dose of 
IV study therapy is required for inclusion in the analysis of each specific parameter. To 
assess change from baseline, a baseline measurement is also required.
Since the assessment of treatment-emergent nephrotoxicity requires serum creatinine
measurements at baseline and after at least on dose of IV study therapy, subjects who have 
missing data at either of these time points will be excluded from the summaries/analyses of 
this endpoint.
Details on the approach to handling missing data for safety analyses are provided in Section 
8.2.5 (Statistical Methods).
Statistical Methods
8.2.5
Statistical Methods for Efficacy Analyses
8.2.5.1
This is an estimation study; no formal statistical testing will be performed for the efficacy 
endpoints. All of the efficacy endpoints in this study are binary. Within-group 95% 
confidence intervals for these endpoints will be calculated using the Agresti & Coull method.
In addition, between-group 90% confidence intervals for the primary and key secondary
endpoints will be calculated using the stratified Miettinen and Nurminen method [78], an 
unconditional, asymptotic method. The between-group estimates will be stratified by
infection type where appropriate.
Missing Values
Any subject missing an evaluation for a specific endpoint (clinical, microbiological or overall 
response) at any particular visit will be generally considered as being “indeterminate” for that 
endpoint in the mMITT population.  The following are exceptions to this rule:
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
89
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 

Subjects discontinuing IV study therapy due to lack of efficacy (e.g., withdrawals 
with subsequent non-study antibiotic therapy) will be considered as “failures” with 
respect to clinical response at the time of discontinuation and all subsequent time 
points.

Subjects discontinuing IV study therapy due to lack of efficacy will be presumed to 
have persistence for the microbiological response at the time of discontinuation and 
all subsequent time points.
Statistical Methods for Safety Analyses
8.2.5.2
Safety and tolerability will be assessed by clinical review of all relevant parameters including 
adverse experiences (AEs), laboratory tests, and vital signs.
Any analysis of safety data that involves a comparison of IMI/REL to CMS + IMI will be 
restricted to Treatment Group 1 and Treatment Group 2 (the randomized treatment groups).
Data from Treatment Group 3 will be summarized separately using descriptive statistics. 
Due to concern for potential renal toxicity of colistin, Treatment Group 1 (IMI/REL) and 
Treatment Group 2 (CMS + IMI) will be compared with respect to the proportion of subjects 
who experience treatment-emergent nephrotoxicity using the two-sided p-value from the 
Fisher Exact Test.
Other safety parameters will follow a tiered approach (Table 17).  The tiers differ with 
respect to the analyses that will be performed.  Safety parameters or adverse experiences of 
special interest that are identified a priori constitute “Tier 1” safety endpoints that will be 
subject to inferential testing for statistical significance with p-values and 95% confidence 
intervals provided for between-group comparisons. All other safety parameters will be 
considered Tier 2 or Tier 3.  Tier 2 parameters will be assessed via point estimates with 95% 
confidence intervals provided for between-group comparisons; only point estimates by 
treatment group are provided for Tier 3 safety parameters.  P-values (Tier 1 only) and 95% 
confidence intervals (Tier 1 and Tier 2) will be provided for between-treatment differences in 
the percentage of subjects with events; these analyses will be performed using the 
(unstratified) Miettinen and Nurminen method [78], an unconditional, asymptotic method 
(with the exception of treatment-emergent nephrotoxicity as described above).
Adverse experiences (specific terms as well as system organ class terms) and other safety 
parameters that are not pre-specified as Tier-1 endpoints will be classified as belonging to 
“Tier 2” or “Tier 3”, based on the number of events observed.  Membership in Tier 2 requires 
that at least 4 subjects in at least one treatment group exhibit the event; all other adverse 
experiences and safety parameter will belong to Tier 3.
The threshold of at least 4 events was chosen because the 95% confidence interval for the 
between-group difference in percent incidence will include zero when each treatment group 
has less than 4 events and thus would add little to the interpretation of potentially meaningful 
differences.  Because many 95% confidence intervals may be provided without adjustment 
for multiplicity, the confidence intervals should be regarded as a helpful descriptive measure 
to be used in review, not a formal method for assessing the statistical significance of the 
between-group differences in adverse experiences and predefined limits of change.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
90
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Continuous measures such as changes from baseline in laboratory parameters that are not 
pre-specified as Tier-1 endpoints will be considered Tier 3 safety parameters.  Summary 
statistics for baseline, on-treatment, and change from baseline values will be provided by 
treatment group in table format.  Laboratory values from the Central Laboratory will be used 
for these analyses when available.
Table 17  Analysis Strategy for Safety Parameters
Safety Tier
Safety Endpoint†
p-Value
95% CI for 
Treatment 
Comparison
Descriptive 
Statistics
Tier 1
treatment-emergent nephrotoxicity
X
X
X
elevated AST or ALT ≥3 X ULN and 
elevated total bilirubin ≥2 X ULN and 
alkaline phosphatase <2 X ULN
X
X
X
A confirmed elevated AST or ALT ≥5 X ULN
X
X
X
Tier 2
Any AE
X
X
Any Serious AE
X
X
Any Drug-Related AE
X
X
Any Serious and Drug-Related AE
X
X
Discontinuation due to AE
Discontinuation due to Drug-Related AE
X
X
X
X
Specific AEs, SOCs, or PDLCs‡ (incidence ≥4 of 
subjects in one of the treatment groups)
X
X
Tier 3
Specific AEs, SOCs or PDLCs‡ (incidence <4 of 
subjects in all of the treatment groups)
X
Change from Baseline Results (Labs, ECGs, Vital 
Signs)
X
†
Adverse Experience references refer to both Clinical and Laboratory AEs.
‡
Includes only those endpoints not pre-specified as Tier 1 or not already pre-specified as Tier 2 endpoints.
Note: SOC=System Organ Class; PDLC=Pre-Defined Limit of Change; X  = results will be provided.
Summaries of Baseline Characteristics, Demographics, and Other Analyses
8.2.5.3
Demographic and Baseline Characteristics
The comparability of the treatment groups for each relevant characteristic will be assessed by 
the use of descriptive statistics. No statistical hypothesis tests will be performed on these 
characteristics. The number and percentage of subjects screened, randomized, the primary 
reasons for screening failure, and the primary reason for study/IV study therapy 
discontinuation will be displayed.  Demographic variables (e.g., age, gender), primary and 
secondary diagnoses, and prior and concomitant therapies will be summarized by treatment 
using descriptive statistics for continuous or categorical variables, as appropriate.
Population PK Analyses
Based on PK data and PD data obtained within this study, population PK and the relationship 
between PK and PD will be assessed.  The results of these exploratory analyses will be 
included in a separate report performed by the Sponsor.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
91
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Multiplicity
8.2.6
No multiplicity adjustment is necessary as there are no statistical hypothesis tests for this 
protocol.
Sample Size and Power Calculations
8.2.7
This study will randomize approximately 54 subjects in a 2:1 ratio into 2 treatment groups 
(Group 1: IMI/REL and Group 2: CMS + IMI) in order to obtain a minimum of 45 subjects 
(15 per infection type) who meet the criteria for inclusion in the microbiological modified 
intent-to-treat (mMITT) population. An additional 5 to 10 subjects with imipenem-resistant 
and colistin-resistant bacterial infection will be enrolled into a third non-randomized, open-
label treatment group (Group 3: IMI/REL).  This is an estimation study; no formal statistical 
testing will be performed for the efficacy endpoints.  The sample sizes planned for the study 
arise from logistic feasibility and are not driven by statistical considerations.
Table 18 displays two-sided 95% confidence intervals for the proportion of subjects with a 
favorable overall response under varying assumptions for the number of successes in 
Treatment Group 1 (IMI/REL) and Treatment Group 2 (CMS + IMI).  Estimates are provided 
for:

N=5 (number of Treatment Group 2 subjects in each infection type), 

N=10 (number of Treatment Group 1 subjects in each infection type), 

N=15 (number of Treatment Group 2 subjects combined over all infection types), 

N=30 (number of Treatment Group 1 subjects combined over all infection types).  
NOTE: These intervals are not symmetric around the point estimate.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
92
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Table 18 Two-Sided 95% Confidence Intervals for Favorable Overall Response
Number of 
subjects in 
population
Observed 
Number with 
Favorable overall 
response
(%)
Two-Sided 95% Confidence 
Intervala
5
2
40.0%
(11.6, 77.1)
3
60.0%
(22.9, 88.4)
4
80.0%
(36.0, 98.0)
10
4
40.0%
(16.7, 66.8)
5
50.0%
(23.7, 76.3)
6
60.0%
(31.2, 83.3)
7
70.0%
(39.2, 89.7)
8
80.0%
(47.9, 95.4)
15
6
40%
(19.8, 64.3)
9
60%
(35.7, 80.2)
12
80%
(54.0, 93.7)
30
12
40.0%
(24.6, 57.7)
15
50.0%
(33.2, 66.8)
18
60.0%
(42.3, 75.4)
21
70.0%
(52.0, 83.5)
24
80.0%
(62.3, 90.9)
a
95% confidence intervals calculated with the Agresti & Coull method.
Table 19 displays several possible study outcomes for the comparison of Treatment Group 1 
(IMI/REL) to Treatment Group 2 (CMS + IMI) with regard to the difference in the 
proportion of subjects who experience treatment-emergent nephrotoxicity.  This table shows 
that a difference between the groups of about 3 events favoring Treatment Group 1 
(IMI/REL) would be associated with a two-sided p-value that is less than 0.05.
Table 19  Fisher Exact two-sided p-values Comparing Treatment Group 1 (IMI/REL) and 
Treatment Group 2 (CMS + IMI) – Possible Study Outcomes
# with Nephrotoxicity in CMS+IMI group (N=15)
0
1(6.7%)
2 
(13.3%)
3 (20%)
4 
(26.7%)
5 
(33.3%)
6 (40%)
# with 
Nephrotoxicity 
in IMI/REL 
group (N=30)
0
>0.5
0.333
0.106
0.032
0.009
0.002
<0.001
1 (3.3%)
>0.5
>0.5
>0.5
0.101
0.036
0.012
0.003
2 (6.7%)
>0.5
>0.5
>0.5
0.315
0.085
0.032
0.011
3 (10%)
>0.5
>0.5
>0.5
>0.5
0.199
0.095
0.042
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
93
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Subgroup Analyses and Effect of Baseline Factors
8.2.8
To assess the consistency of the treatment effect across various subgroups, the proportion of 
subjects with a favorable overall response (with a nominal 95% confidence interval) within 
each of the randomized treatment groups (primary endpoint) will be estimated within each 
category of the following classification variables:

Infection type (HABP/VABP, cIAI, cUTI)

Gender (female, male)

Race (e.g., White, Black, Asian)

Ethnicity (Hispanic/Latino, non-Hispanic/non-Latino)

Age (<65 years, ≥65 years)

Weight (<70 kg, ≥70 kg) at study entry

APACHE II score at study entry (≤15, >15)
In addition, the difference between Treatment Group 1 (IMI/REL) and Treatment Group 2 
(CMS + IMI) will be estimated along with 90% confidence interval when the subgroups are 
sufficiently large (≥4 subjects in each group).
Interim Analyses
8.2.9
No formal interim analyses are planned for this study.  
9.0 LABELING, PACKAGING, STORAGE AND RETURN OF CLINICAL 
SUPPLIES
Investigational Product
9.1
The investigator shall take responsibility for and shall take all steps to maintain appropriate 
records and ensure appropriate supply, storage, handling, distribution and usage of 
investigational product in accordance with the protocol and any applicable laws and 
regulations.
Clinical Supplies will be provided by the Sponsor as summarized in Table 20.
Table 20 Product Descriptions
Product Name & Potency
Dosage Form
MK-7655A, MK-7655 250 mg (Anhydrous 
Equivalent), IMIPENEM 500 mg 
(Anhydrous
Equivalent) and CILASTATIN 
EQUIVALENT 500 mg
Powder for Constitution
IMIPENEM 500 mg (Anhydrous Equivalent) 
and CILASTATIN EQUIVALENT 500 mg
(PRIMAXIN I.V.)
Powder for Reconstitution
Colistimethate Sodium for Injection 
(Equivalent to 150 mg
Colistin)
Lyophilized Powder for I.V. Injection
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
94
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
All other supplies not indicated in Table 20 above will be provided centrally by the Sponsor 
or locally by the trial site, subsidiary or designee, depending on local country operational or 
regulatory requirements.
For any commercially available product that is provided by the trial site, subsidiary or 
designee every attempt will be made to source these supplies from a single lot/batch number. 
The trial site will be responsible for recording the lot number, manufacturer and expiry date 
of any locally purchased product.
Packaging and Labeling Information
9.2
Clinical supplies will be affixed with a clinical label in accordance with regulatory 
requirements.
Subjects will receive open label, single dose vials.  No kitting is required.
Clinical Supplies Disclosure
9.3
This trial is blinded but provided open label; therefore, an unblinded pharmacist or qualified 
trial site personnel will be used to blind supplies. IV study therapy identity (name, strength or 
potency) is included in the label text.
The emergency unblinding call center will use the randomization schedule for the trial to 
unblind subjects and to unmask treatment. In the event that the emergency unblinding call 
center is not available for a given site in this trial, the central electronic randomization system 
(IVRS/IWRS) should be used in order to unblind subjects and to unmask treatment/vaccine 
identity.  The Sponsor will not provide random code/disclosure envelopes or lists with the 
clinical supplies.
Storage and Handling Requirements
9.4
Clinical supplies must be stored in a secure, limited-access location under the storage 
conditions specified on the label.  
Receipt and dispensing of trial medication must be recorded by an authorized person at the 
trial site.
Clinical supplies may not be used for any purpose other than that stated in the protocol.
Returns and Reconciliation
9.5
The investigator is responsible for keeping accurate records of the clinical supplies received 
from the Sponsor or designee, the amount dispensed to and returned by the subjects and the 
amount remaining at the conclusion of the trial. For all trial sites, the local country Sponsor 
personnel or designee will provide appropriate documentation that must be completed for 
drug accountability and return, or local discard and destruction if appropriate.   Where local 
discard and destruction is appropriate, the investigator is responsible for ensuring that a local 
discard/destruction procedure is documented.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
95
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Standard Policies
9.6
Trial site personnel will have access to a central electronic randomization system 
(IVRS/IWRS system) to allocate subjects, to assign IV study therapy to subjects and to 
manage the distribution of clinical supplies. Each person accessing the IVRS system must be 
assigned an individual unique PIN.  They must use only their assigned PIN to access the 
system, and they must not share their assigned PIN with anyone.
10.0 ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY DETAILS
Confidentiality
10.1
Confidentiality of Data
10.1.1
By signing this protocol, the investigator affirms to the Sponsor that information furnished to 
the investigator by the Sponsor will be maintained in confidence, and such information will 
be divulged to the institutional review board, ethics review committee (IRB/ERC) or similar 
or expert committee; affiliated institution and employees, only under an appropriate 
understanding of confidentiality with such board or committee, affiliated institution and 
employees.  Data generated by this trial will be considered confidential by the investigator, 
except to the extent that it is included in a publication as provided in the Publications section 
of this protocol.
Confidentiality of Subject Records
10.1.2
By signing this protocol, the investigator agrees that the Sponsor (or Sponsor representative), 
IRB/ERC, or regulatory authority representatives may consult and/or copy trial documents in 
order to verify worksheet/case report form data.  By signing the consent form, the subject 
agrees to this process.  If trial documents will be photocopied during the process of verifying 
worksheet/case report form information, the subject will be identified by unique code only; 
full names/initials will be masked prior to transmission to the Sponsor.
By signing this protocol, the investigator agrees to treat all subject data used and disclosed in 
connection with this trial in accordance with all applicable privacy laws, rules and 
regulations.
Confidentiality of Investigator Information
10.1.3
By signing this protocol, the investigator recognizes that certain personal identifying 
information with respect to the investigator, and all subinvestigators and trial site personnel, 
may be used and disclosed for trial management purposes, as part of a regulatory 
submissions, and as required by law.  This information may include:

name, address, telephone number and e-mail address;

hospital or clinic address and telephone number;

curriculum vitae or other summary of qualifications and credentials; and

other professional documentation.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
96
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Consistent with the purposes described above, this information may be transmitted to the 
Sponsor, and subsidiaries, affiliates and agents of the Sponsor, in your country and other 
countries, including countries that do not have laws protecting such information.  
Additionally, the investigator’s name and business contact information may be included 
when reporting certain serious adverse events to regulatory authorities or to other 
investigators.  By signing this protocol, the investigator expressly consents to these uses and 
disclosures.
If this is a multicenter trial, in order to facilitate contact between investigators, the Sponsor 
may share an investigator’s name and contact information with other participating 
investigators upon request.
Confidentiality of IRB/IEC Information
10.1.4
The Sponsor is required to record the name and address of each IRB/IEC member that 
reviews and approves this trial.  The Sponsor is also required to document that each IRB/IEC 
meets regulatory and ICH GCP requirements by requesting and maintaining records of the 
names and qualifications of the IRB/IEC members and to make these records available for 
regulatory agency review upon request by those agencies.
Compliance with Financial Disclosure Requirements
10.2
Financial Disclosure requirements are outlined in the US Food and Drug Administration 
Regulations, Financial Disclosure by Clinical Investigators (21 CFR Part 54).  It is the 
Sponsor's responsibility to determine, based on these regulations, whether a request for 
Financial Disclosure information is required.  It is the investigator's/subinvestigator's 
responsibility to comply with any such request.  
The investigator/subinvestigator(s) agree, if requested by the Sponsor in accordance with 21 
CFR Part 54, to provide his/her financial interests in and/or arrangements with the Sponsor to 
allow for the submission of complete and accurate certification and disclosure statements.  
The investigator/subinvestigator(s) further agree to provide this information on a 
Certification/Disclosure Form, commonly known as a financial disclosure form, provided by 
the Sponsor or through a secure password-protected electronic portal provided by the 
Sponsor.  The investigator/subinvestigator(s) also consent to the transmission of this 
information to the Sponsor in the United States for these purposes.  This may involve the 
transmission of information to countries that do not have laws protecting personal data.
Compliance with Law, Audit and Debarment
10.3
By signing this protocol, the investigator agrees to conduct the trial in an efficient and 
diligent manner and in conformance with this protocol; generally accepted standards of Good 
Clinical Practice (e.g., International Conference on Harmonization of Technical 
Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use Good Clinical Practice: 
Consolidated Guideline and other generally accepted standards of good clinical practice); and 
all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations relating to the conduct of the 
clinical trial.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
97
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
The Code of Conduct, a collection of goals and considerations that govern the ethical and 
scientific conduct of clinical investigations sponsored by Merck, is provided in Section 12.1 -
Merck Code of Conduct for Clinical Trials.
The investigator also agrees to allow monitoring, audits, IRB/ERC review and regulatory 
authority inspection of trial-related documents and procedures and provide for direct access 
to all trial-related source data and documents.
The investigator agrees not to seek reimbursement from subjects, their insurance providers or 
from government programs for procedures included as part of the trial reimbursed to the 
investigator by the Sponsor.
The investigator shall prepare and maintain complete and accurate trial documentation in 
compliance with Good Clinical Practice standards and applicable federal, state and local 
laws, rules and regulations; and, for each subject participating in the trial, provide all data, 
and, upon completion or termination of the clinical trial, submit any other reports to the 
Sponsor as required by this protocol or as otherwise required pursuant to any agreement with 
the Sponsor.
Trial documentation will be promptly and fully disclosed to the Sponsor by the investigator 
upon request and also shall be made available at the trial site upon request for inspection, 
copying, review and audit at reasonable times by representatives of the Sponsor or any 
regulatory authorities.  The investigator agrees to promptly take any reasonable steps that are 
requested by the Sponsor as a result of an audit to cure deficiencies in the trial documentation 
and worksheets/case report forms.
The investigator must maintain copies of all documentation and records relating to the 
conduct of the trial in compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.  This 
documentation includes, but is not limited to, the protocol, worksheets/case report forms, 
advertising for subject participation, adverse event reports, subject source data, 
correspondence with regulatory authorities and IRBs/ERCs, consent forms, investigator’s 
curricula vitae, monitor visit logs, laboratory reference ranges, laboratory certification or 
quality control procedures and laboratory director curriculum vitae.  By signing this protocol, 
the investigator agrees that documentation shall be retained until at least 2 years after the last 
approval of a marketing application in an ICH region or until there are no pending or 
contemplated marketing applications in an ICH region or until at least 2 years have elapsed 
since the formal discontinuation of clinical development of the investigational product.  
Because the clinical development and marketing application process is variable, it is 
anticipated that the retention period can be up to 15 years or longer after protocol database 
lock. The Sponsor will determine the minimum retention period and notify the investigator 
when documents may be destroyed.  The sponsor also recognizes that documents may need 
to be retained for a longer period if required by local regulatory requirements. All trial 
documents shall be made available if required by relevant regulatory authorities. The 
investigator must consult with and obtain written approval by the Sponsor prior to discarding 
trial and/or subject files.  
ICH Good Clinical Practice guidelines recommend that the investigator inform the subject’s 
primary physician about the subject’s participation in the trial if the subject has a primary 
physician and if the subject agrees to the primary physician being informed.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
98
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
The investigator will promptly inform the Sponsor of any regulatory authority inspection 
conducted for this trial.
Persons debarred from conducting or working on clinical trials by any court or regulatory 
authority will not be allowed to conduct or work on this Sponsor’s trials.  The investigator 
will immediately disclose in writing to the Sponsor if any person who is involved in 
conducting the trial is debarred or if any proceeding for debarment is pending or, to the best 
of the investigator’s knowledge, threatened.
In the event the Sponsor prematurely terminates a particular trial site, the Sponsor will 
promptly notify that trial site’s IRB/IEC.
According to European legislation, a Sponsor must designate an overall coordinating 
investigator for a multi-center trial (including multinational).  When more than one trial site 
is open in an EU country, Merck, as the Sponsor, will designate, per country, a national 
principal coordinator (Protocol CI), responsible for coordinating the work of the principal 
investigators at the different trial sites in that Member State, according to national 
regulations.  For a single-center trial, the Protocol CI is the principal investigator.  In 
addition, the Sponsor must designate a principal or coordinating investigator to review the
trial report that summarizes the trial results and confirm that, to the best of his/her 
knowledge, the report accurately describes the conduct and results of the trial [Clinical Study 
Report (CSR) CI].  The Sponsor may consider one or more factors in the selection of the 
individual to serve as the Protocol CI and or CSR CI (e.g., availability of the CI during the 
anticipated review process, thorough understanding of clinical trial methods, appropriate 
enrollment of subject cohort, timely achievement of trial milestones).  The Protocol CI must 
be a participating trial investigator.
Compliance with Trial Registration and Results Posting Requirements
10.4
Under the terms of the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act (FDAMA) and the 
Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act (FDAAA), the Sponsor of the trial is solely 
responsible for determining whether the trial and its results are subject to the requirements 
for submission to the Clinical Trials Data Bank, http://www.clinicaltrials.gov.  Merck, as 
Sponsor of this trial, will review this protocol and submit the information necessary to fulfill 
these requirements.  Merck entries are not limited to FDAMA/FDAAA mandated trials. 
Information posted will allow subjects to identify potentially appropriate trials for their 
disease conditions and pursue participation by calling a central contact number for further 
information on appropriate trial locations and trial site contact information.    
By signing this protocol, the investigator acknowledges that the statutory obligations under 
FDAMA/FDAAA are that of the Sponsor and agrees not to submit any information about this 
trial or its results to the Clinical Trials Data Bank.
Quality Management System
10.5
By signing this protocol, the Sponsor agrees to be responsible for implementing and 
maintaining a quality management system with written development procedures and 
functional area standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure that trials are conducted and 
data are generated, documented, and reported in compliance with the protocol, accepted 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
99
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
standards of Good Clinical Practice, and all applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules and 
regulations relating to the conduct of the clinical trial.
Data Management
10.6
The investigator or qualified designee is responsible for recording and verifying the accuracy 
of subject data.  By signing this protocol, the investigator acknowledges that his/her 
electronic signature is the legally binding equivalent of a written signature.  By entering 
his/her electronic signature, the investigator confirms that all recorded data have been 
verified as accurate.
Detailed information regarding Data Management procedures for this protocol will be 
provided by the Sponsor.
Publications
10.7
This trial is intended for publication, even if terminated prematurely. Publication may include 
any or all of the following: posting of a synopsis online, abstract and/or presentation at a 
scientific conference, or publication of a full manuscript.  The Sponsor will work with the 
authors to submit a manuscript describing trial results within 12 months after the last data 
become available, which may take up to several months after the last subject visit in some 
cases such as vaccine trials.  However, manuscript submission timelines may be extended on 
OTC trials.  For trials intended for pediatric-related regulatory filings, the investigator agrees 
to delay publication of the trial results until the Sponsor notifies the investigator that all 
relevant regulatory authority decisions on the trial drug have been made with regard to 
pediatric-related regulatory filings. Merck will post a synopsis of trial results for approved 
products on www.clinicaltrials.gov by 12 months after the last subject's last visit for the 
primary outcome, 12 months after the decision to discontinue development, or product 
marketing (dispensed, administered, delivered or promoted), whichever is later.
These timelines may be extended for products that are not yet marketed, if additional time is 
needed for analysis, to protect intellectual property, or to comply with confidentiality 
agreements with other parties.  Authors of the primary results manuscript will be provided 
the complete results from the Clinical Study Report, subject to the confidentiality agreement. 
When a manuscript is submitted to a biomedical journal, the Sponsor's policy is to also 
include the protocol and statistical analysis plan to facilitate the peer and editorial review of 
the manuscript.  If the manuscript is subsequently accepted for publication, the Sponsor will 
allow the journal, if it so desires, to post on its website the key sections of the protocol that 
are relevant to evaluating the trial, specifically those sections describing the trial objectives 
and hypotheses, the subject inclusion and exclusion criteria, the trial design and procedures, 
the efficacy and safety measures, the statistical analysis plan, and any amendments relating to 
those sections.  The Sponsor reserves the right to redact proprietary information.
For multicenter trials, subsequent to the multicenter publication (or after public disclosure of 
the results online at www.clinicaltrials.gov if a multicenter manuscript is not planned), an 
investigator and his/her colleagues may publish their data independently.  In most cases, 
publication of individual trial site data does not add value to complete multicenter results, 
due to statistical concerns.  In rare cases, publication of single trial site data prior to the main 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
100
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
paper may be of value.  Limitations of single trial site observations in a multicenter trial 
should always be described in such a manuscript.
Authorship credit should be based on 1) substantial contributions to conception and design, 
or acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; 2) drafting the article or revising 
it critically for important intellectual content; and 3) final approval of the version to be 
published. Authors must meet conditions 1, 2 and 3.  Significant contributions to trial 
execution may also be taken into account to determine authorship, provided that 
contributions have also been made to all three of the preceding authorship criteria.  Although 
publication planning may begin before conducting the trial, final decisions on authorship and 
the order of authors’ names will be made based on participation and actual contributions to 
the trial and writing, as discussed above. The first author is responsible for defending the 
integrity of the data, method(s) of data analysis and the scientific content of the manuscript.
The Sponsor must have the opportunity to review all proposed abstracts, manuscripts or 
presentations regarding this trial 45 days prior to submission for publication/presentation. 
Any information identified by the Sponsor as confidential must be deleted prior to 
submission; this confidentiality does not include efficacy and safety results. Sponsor review 
can be expedited to meet publication timelines.
11.0 LIST OF REFERENCES
1
Nation RL, Li J. Colistin in the 21st century. NIH Public Access 2009;22(6):535-43.
2
Evans ME, Feola DJ, Rapp RP. Polymyxin B sulfate and colistin: old antibiotics for 
emerging multiresistant gram-negative bacteria. Ann Pharmacother 1999;33:960-7.
3
Brown JM, Dorman DC, Roy LP. Acute renal failure due to overdosage of colistin. Med 
J Aust 1970;2(20):923-4.
4
Koch-Weser J, Sidel VW, Federman EB, Kanarek P, Finer DC, Eaton AE. Adverse 
effects of sodium colistimethate; Manifestations and specific reaction rates during 317 
courses of therapy. Ann Intern Med 1970;72:857-68.
5
Ryan KJ, Schainuck LI, Hickman RO, Stviker GE. Colistimethate toxixity; Report of a 
fetal case in a previously healthy child. JAMA 1969;207(11):2099-101.
6
Price DJE, Graham DI. Effects of large doses of colistin sulphomethate sodium on renal 
function. Brit Med J 1970;4:525-7.
7
Randall RE, Bridi GS, Setter JS, Brackett JrNC. Recovery from colistimethate 
nephrotoxicity [Abstract]. Ann Intern Med 1970;73(3):491-2.
8
Wolinsky E, Hines JD. Neurotoxic and nephrotoxic effects of colisten in patients with 
renal disease. N Engl J Med 1962;266(15):759-62.
9
Doshi NM, Mount KL, Murphy CV. Nephrotoxicity Associated with Intravenous Colistin 
in Critically Ill Patients. Pharmacotherapy 2011;31(12):1257-64.
10 Michalopoulos AS, Tsiodras S, Rellos K, Mentzelopoulos S, Falagas ME. Colistin 
treatment in patients with ICU-acquired infections caused by multiresistant Gram-
negative bacteria: the renaissance of an old antibiotic. Clin Microbiol Infect 2005;11:115-
21.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
101
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
11 Dalfino L, Puntillo F, Mosca A, Monno R, Luigia Spada M, Coppolecchia S, et al. High-
Dose, extended-interval colistin administration in critically ill patients: is this the right 
dosing strategy? A preliminary study. Clin Infect Dis 2012;54(12):1720-6.
12 Markou N, Apostolakos H, Koumoudiou C, Athanasiou M, Koutsoukou A, Alamanos I, 
et al. Intravenous colistin in the treatment of sepsis from multiresistant Gram-negative 
bacilli in critically ill patients. Critical care 2003;7(5):R78-R83.
13 Reina R, Estenssoro E, Saenz G, Canales HS, Gonzalvo R, Vidal G, et al. Safety and 
efficacy of colistin in Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas infections:  a prospective cohort 
study. Intensive Care Med 2005;31:1058-65.
14 Li J, Nation RL, Turnidge JD, Milne RW, Coulthard K, Rayner CR, et al. Colistin: The 
re-emerging antibiotic for multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections. Lancet 
Infect Dis 2006;6:589-601.
15 Gouden R, Bamford C, van Zyl-Smit R, Cohen K, Maartens G. Safety and effectiveness 
of colistin compared with tobramycin for multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii 
infections. BMC Infect Dis 2009;9(26):1-6.
16 Falagas ME, Kasiakou SK. Toxicity of polymyxins: a systematic review of the evidence 
from old and recent studies. Crit Care 2006;10(1):1-13.
17 Bassetti M, Repetto E, Righi E, Boni S, Diverio M, Molinari MP, et al. Colistin and 
rifampicin in the treatment of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections. J 
Antimicrob Chemother 2008;61:417-20.
18 Biswas S, Brunel J-M, Dubus J-C, Reynaud-Gaubert M, Rolain J-M. Colistin: an update 
on the antibiotic of the 21st century. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2012;10(8):917-34.
19 Yahav D, Farbman L, Leibovici L, Paul M. Colistin: New lessons on an old antibiotic. 
Clin Microbiol Infect 2012;18:18-29.
20 Falagas ME, Fragoulis KN, Kasiakou SK, Sermaidis GJ, Michalopoulos A. 
Nephrotoxicity of intravenous colistin: A prospective evaluation. Int J Antimicrob Ag 
2005;26:504-7.
21 Pintado V, García San Miguel L, Grill F, Mejía B, Cobo J, Fortún J, et al. Intravenous 
colistin sulphomethate sodium for therapy of infections due to multidrug-resistant gram-
negative bacteria. Journal of Infection 2008;56:185-90.
22 Montero M, Horcajada JP, Sorli L, Alvarez-Lerma F, Grau S, Riu M, et al. Effectiveness 
and Safety of Colistin for the Treatment of Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa 
Infections. Infection 2009;37:461-5.
23 Cheng C-Y, Sheng W-H, Wang J-T, Chen Y-C, Chang S-C. Safety and efficacy of 
intravenous colistin (colistin methanesulphonate) for severe multidrug-resistant Gram-
negative bacterial infections. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2010;35:297-300.
24 Kallel H, Bahloul M, Hergafi L, Akrout M, Ketata W, Chelly H, et al. Colistin as a 
salvage therapy for nosocomial infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria in the 
ICU. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2006;28:366-9.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
102
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
25 Hachem RY, Chemaly RF, Ahmar CA, Jiang Y, Boktour MR, Rjaili GA, et al. Colistin Is 
Effective in Treatment of Infections Caused by Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas 
aeruginosa in Cancer Patients. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2007;51(6):1905-11.
26 Paul M, Bishara J, Levcovich A, Chowers M, Goldberg E, Singer P, et al. Effectiveness 
and safety of colistin: Prospective comparative cohort study. J Antimicrob Chemother 
2010;65:1019-27.
27 Neuner EA, Yeh JY, Hall GS, Sekeres J, Endimiani A, Bonomo RA, et al. Treatment and 
outcomes in carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infections. 
Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease 2011;69(4):357-62.
28 Kallel H, Hergafi L, Bahloul M, Hakin A, Dammak H, Chelly H, et al. Safety and 
efficacy of colistin compared with imipenem in the treatment of ventilator-associated 
pneumonia: a matched case-control study. Intensive Care Med 2007;33:1162-7.
29 Rice LB. Federal Funding for the Study of Antimicrobial Resistance in Nosocomial 
Pathogens: No ESKAPE. J Infect Dis 2008;197:1079-81.
30 Nordmann P, Cuzon G, Naas T. The real threat of Klebsiella pneumoniae 
carbapenemase-producing bacteria. Lancet Infect Dis 2009;9:228-36.
31 Boucher HW, Talbot GH, Bradley JS, Edwards JE Jr, Gilbert D, Rice LB, et al. Bad 
bugs, no drugs: no ESKAPE! An update from the Infectious Diseases Society of 
America. Clin Infect Dis 2009;48(1):1-12.
32 Curiao T, Morosini MI, Ruiz-Garbajosa P, Robustillo A, Baquero F, Coque TM, et al. 
Emergence of blaKPC-3-Tn4401a associated with a pKPN3/4-like plasmid within ST384 
and ST388 Klebsiella penumoniae clones in Spain. J Antimicrob Chemother 
2010;65:1608-14.
33 Giani T, D'Andrea MM, Pecile P, Borgianni L, Nicoletti P, Tonelli F, et al. Emergence in 
Italy of Klebsiella pneumoniae Sequence Type 258 Producing KPC-3 Carbapenemase. J 
Clin Microbiol 2009;47(11):3793-4.
34 Gregory CJ, Llata E, Stine N, Gould C, Santiago LM, Vazquez GJ, et al. Outbreak of 
Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in Puerto Rico Associated with a Novel 
Carbapenemase Variant. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2010;31(5):476-84.
35 Kumarasamy KK, Toleman MA, Walsh TR, Bagaria J, Butt F, Balakrishnan R, et al. 
Emergence of a new antibiotic resistance mechanism in India, Pakistan, and the UK: a 
molecular, biological, and epidemiological study. Lancet Infect Dis 2010;10:597-602.
36 Osterblad M, Kirveskari J, Koskela S, Tissari P, Vuorenoja K, Hakanen AJ, et al. First 
isolations of KPC-2-Carrying ST258 Klebsiella Pneumoniae strains in Finland, June and 
August 2009. Euro Surveill 2009;14(40):19349.
37 Roche C, Cotter M, O'Connell N, Crowley B. First identification of class A 
carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in the Republic of Ireland. Euro 
Surveill 2009;14(13):19163.
38 Tóth Á, Damjanova I, Puskás E, Jánvári L, Farkas M, Dobák A, et al. Emergence of a 
colistin-resistant KPC-2-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae ST258 clone in Hungary. Eur 
J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2010;29:765-9.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
103
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
39 Wendt C, Schütt S, Dalpke AH, Konrad M, Mieth M, Trierweiler-Hauke B, et al. First 
outbreak of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing K. pneumoniae in 
Germany. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2010;29:563-70.
40 Chopra I, Schofield C, Everett M, O'Neill A, Miller K, Wilcox M, et al. Treatment of 
health-care-associated infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria: a consensus 
statement. Lancet Infect Dis 2008;8:133-9.
41 Linden PK, Kusne S, Coley K, Fontes P, Kramer DJ, Paterson D. Use of parenteral 
colistin for the treatment of serious infection due to antimicrobial-resistant pseudomonas 
aeruginosa. Clin Infect Dis 2003;37:e154-e160.
42 Kollef MH, Chastre J, Clavel M, Restrepo MI, Michiels B, Kaniga K, et al. A 
randomized trial of 7-day doripenem versus 10-day imipenem-cilastatin for 
ventilatorassociated pneumonia. Crit Care 2012;16:1-17.
43 Ramirez J, Dartois N, Gandjini H, Yan JL, Korth-Bradley J, McGovern PC. Randomized 
phase 2 trial to evaluate the clinical efficacy of two high-dosage tigecycline regimens 
versus imipenem-cilastatin for treatment of hospital-acquired pneumonia. Antibiot 
Chemother 2013;57(4):1756-62.
44 Joshi M, Metzler M, McCarthy M, Olvey S, Kassira W, Cooper A. Comparison of 
piperacillin/tazobactam and imipenem/cilastatin, both in combination with tobramycin, 
administered every 6 h for treatment of nosocomial pneumonia. Respir Med 
2006;100:1554-65.
45 Schmitt DV, Leitner E, Welte T, Lode H. Piperacillin/tazobactam vs imipenem/cilastatin 
in the treatment of nosocomial pneumonia - a double blind prosepective multicentre 
study. Infection 2006;34(3):127-34.
46 Freire AT, Melnyk V, Kim MJ, Datsenko O, Dzyublik O, Glumcher F, et al. Comparison 
of tigecycline with imipenem/cilastatin for the treatment of hospital-acquired pneumonia. 
Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2010;68:140-51.
47 Chastre J, Wunderink R, Prokocimer P, Lee M, Kaniga K, Friedland I. Efficacy and 
safety of intravenous infusion of doripenem versus imipenem in ventilator-associated 
pneumonia: a multicenter, randomized study. Crit Care Med 2008;36(4):1089-96.
48 European Medicines Agency. European Medicines Agency completes review of 
polymyxin-based medicines: recommendations issued for safe use in patients with serious 
infections resistant to standard antibiotics (EMA/643444/2014) [Internet]. London: 
European Medicines Agency; 2014. Available from: www.ema.europa.eu
49 USA Product Circular: Colistimethate for injection, USP for intramuscular and 
intravenous use: 2010.
50 Garonzik SM, Li J, Thamlikitkul V, Paterson DL, Shoham S, Jacob J, et al. Population 
pharmacokinetics of colistin methanesulfonate and formed colistin in critically ill patients 
from a multicenter study provide dosing suggestions for various categories of patients. 
Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2011;55(7):3284-94.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
104
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
51 Plachouras D, Kravanen M, Friberg LE, Papadomichelakis E, Antoniadou A, Tsangaris I, 
et al. Population pharmacokinetic analysis of colistin methanesulfonate and colistin after 
intravenous administration in critically ill patients with infections caused by gram-
negative bacteria. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2009;53(8):3430-6.
52 Mohamed AF, Karaiskos I, Plachouras D, Karvanen M, Konstantinos P, Jansson B, et al. 
Application of a loading dose of colistin methanesulfonate in critically ill patients: 
population pharmacokinetics, protein binding, and prediction of bacterial kill. Antimicrob 
Agents Chemother 2012;56(8):4241-9.
53 Antoniadou A, Kontopidou F, Poulakou G, Koratzanis E, Galani I, Papadomichelakis E, 
et al. Colistin-resistant isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae emerging in intensive care unit 
patients: first report of a multiclonal cluster. J Antimicrob Chemother 2007;59:786-90.
54 Lim LM, Neang L, Anderson D, Yang JC, Macander L, Jarkowski A, et al. Resurgence 
of colistin: a review of resistance, toxicity, pharmacodynamics, and dosing. 
Pharmacotherapy 2010;30(12):1279-91.
55 Bergen PJ, Landersdorfer CB, Zhang J, Zhao M, Lee HJ, Nation RL, et al. 
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of 'old' polymyxins: What is new? Diagn 
Microbiol Infect Dis 2012;74:213-23.
56 Couet W, Gregoire N, Marchand S, Mimoz O. Colistin pharmacokinetics: the fog is 
lifting. Clin Microbiol Infect 2012;18:30-9.
57 Michalopoulos AS, Karatza DC, Gregorakos L. Pharmacokinetic evaluation of colistin 
sodium. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2011;7(2):245-55.
58 Spapen H, Jacobs R, Van Gorp V, Troubleyn J, Honore PM. Renal and neurological side 
effects of colistin in critically ill patients. Annals of Intensive Care 2011;1(14):1-7.
59 Hooton TM, Bradley SF, Cardenas DD, Colgan R, Geerlings SE, Rice JC, et al. 
Diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of catheter-associated urinary tract infection in 
adults: 2009 International Clinical Practice Guidelines from the Infectious Diseases 
Society of America. Clin Infect Dis 2010;50:625-63.
60 Solomkin JS, Mazuski JE, Bradley JS, Rodvold KA, Goldstein EJC, Baron EJ, et al. 
Diagnosis and management of complicated intra-abdominal infection in adults and 
children:  guidelines by the surgical infection society and the infectious diseases society 
of America. Clin Infect Dis 2010;50:133-64.
61 Niederman MS, Craven DE. American Thoracic Society Documents: Guidelines for the 
management of adults with hospital-acquired, ventilator-associated, and healthcare-
associated pneumonia. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2005;171:388-416.
62 Dellinger RP, Levy MM, Rhodes A, Annane D, Gerlach H, Opal SM, et al. Surviving 
sepsis campaign: International guidelines for management of severe sepsis and septic 
shock: 2012. Crit Care Med 2013;41(2):580-637.
63 Matthaiou DK, Michalopoulos A, Rafailidis PI, Karageorgopoulos DE, Papaioannou V, 
Ntani G, et al. Risk factors associated with the isolation of colistin-resistant gram-
negative bacteria: A matched case-control study. Crit Care Med 2008;36(3):807-11.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
105
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
64 Capone A, Giannella M, Fortini D, Giordano A, Meledandri M, Ballardini M, et al. High 
rate of colistin resistance among patients with carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella 
pneumoniae infection accounts for an excess of mortality. Clin Microbiol Infect 
2013;19:E23-E30.
65 Hawley JS, Murray CK, Jorgensen JH. Colistin heteroresistance in acinetobacter and its 
association 
with 
previous 
colistin 
therapy. 
Antimicrob 
Agents 
Chemother 
2008;52(1):351-2.
66 Landman D, Georgescu C, Martin DS, Quale J. Polymyxins revisited. Clin Microbiol 
Rev 2008;21(3):449-65.
67 Bergen PJ, Tsuji BT, Bulitta JB, Forrest A, Jacob J, Sidjabat HE, et al. Synergistic killing 
of multidrug-resistant pseudomonas aeruginosa at multiple inocula by colistin combined 
with doripenem in an in vitro pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model. Antimicrob 
Agents Chemother 2011;55(12):5685-95.
68 Hong JH, Clancy CJ, Cheng S, Shields RK, Chen L, Doi Y, et al. Characterization of 
porin expression in Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing-K 
pneumonia identifies isolates most susceptible to the combination of colistin and 
carbapenems. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2013;57(5):2147-53.
69 Petrosillo N, Ioannidou E, Falagas ME. Colistin monotherapy vs. combination therapy: 
evidence from microbiological, animal and clinical studies. Clin Microbiol Infect 
2008;14:816-27.
70 Akova M, Daikos GL, Tzouvelekis L, Carmeli Y. Interventional strategies and current 
clinical experience with carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacteria. Clin 
Microbiol Infect 2012;18:439-48.
71 Lora-Tamayo J, Murillo O, Bergen PJ, Nation RL, Poudyal A, Luo X, et al. Activity of 
colistin combined with doripenem at clinically relevant concentrations against multidrug-
resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in an in vitro dynamic biofilm model. J Antimicrob 
Chemother. 2014 Sep;69(9):2434-42.
72 Hawkey PM, Livermore DM. Carbapenem antibiotics for serious infections. BMJ 
2012;344:1-7.
73 Mehta RL, Kellum JA, Shah SV, Molitoris BA, Ronco C, Warnock DG, et al. Acute 
kidney injury network: report of an initiative to improve outcomes in acute kidney injury. 
Critical care 2007;11(2):1-8.
74 Garnacho-Montero J, Ortiz-Leyba C, Jimenez-Jimenez FJ, Barrero-Almodovar AE, 
Garcia-Garmendia JL, Bernabeu-Wittell M, et al. Treatment of multidrug-resistant 
acinetobacter baumannii ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) with intravenous 
colistin: a comparison with imipenem-susceptible VAP. Clin Infect Dis 2003;36:1111-8.
75 Turkoglu M, Dizbay M, Ciftci A, Aksakal FN, Aygencel G. Colistin therapy in critically 
ill patients with chronic renal failure and its effect on development of renal dysfunction. 
Int J Antimicrob Agents 2012;39:142-5.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
106
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
76 Betrosian AP, Frantzeskaki F, Xanthaki A, Douzinas EE. Efficacy and safety of high-
dose ampicillin/sulbactam vs. colistin as monotherapy for the treatment of multidrug 
resistant Acinetobacter baumannii ventilator-associated pneumonia. J Infection 
2008;56:432-6.
77 Knaus WA, Draper EA, Wagner DP, Zimmerman JE. Apache II:  A severity of disease 
classification system. Crit Care Med 1985;13(10):818-29.
78 Miettinen O, Nurminen M. Comparative analysis of two rates. Stat Med 1985;4:213-26.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
107
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
12.0 APPENDICES
Merck Code of Conduct for Clinical Trials
12.1
Merck*
Code of Conduct for Clinical Trials
I.
Introduction
A. Purpose
Merck, through its subsidiaries, conducts clinical trials worldwide to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of our 
products. As such, we are committed to designing, implementing, conducting, analyzing and reporting these trials in 
compliance with the highest ethical and scientific standards. Protection of subject safety is the overriding concern in 
the design of clinical trials. In all cases, Merck clinical trials will be conducted in compliance with local and/or 
national regulations and in accordance with the ethical principles that have their origin in the Declaration of Helsinki. 
B. Scope
Such standards shall be endorsed for all clinical interventional investigations sponsored by Merck irrespective of the 
party (parties) employed for their execution (e.g., contract research organizations, collaborative research efforts). This 
Code is not intended to apply to trials which are observational in nature, or which are retrospective. Further, this Code 
does not apply to investigator-initiated trials which are not under the control of Merck.
II. Scientific Issues
A. Trial Conduct
i.
Trial Design
Except for pilot or estimation trials, clinical trial protocols will be hypothesis-driven to assess safety, efficacy 
and/or pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic indices of Merck or comparator products.  Alternatively, Merck may 
conduct outcomes research trials, trials to assess or validate various endpoint measures, or trials to determine 
subject preferences, etc.  
The design (i.e., subject population, duration, statistical power) must be adequate to address the specific purpose 
of the trial.  Research subjects must meet protocol entry criteria to be enrolled in the trial. 
ii.
Site Selection
Merck selects investigative sites based on medical expertise, access to appropriate subjects, adequacy of facilities 
and staff, previous performance in Merck trials, as well as budgetary considerations.  Prior to trial initiation, sites 
are evaluated by Merck personnel to assess the ability to successfully conduct the trial.
iii.
Site Monitoring/Scientific Integrity
Trial sites are monitored to assess compliance with the trial protocol and general principles of Good Clinical 
Practice.  Merck reviews clinical data for accuracy, completeness and consistency. Data are verified versus source 
documentation according to standard operating procedures.  Per Merck policies and procedures, if fraud, 
misconduct or serious GCP-non-Compliance are suspected, the issues are promptly investigated. When necessary, 
the clinical site will be closed, the responsible regulatory authorities and ethics review committees notified and 
data disclosed accordingly. 
B. Publication and Authorship
To the extent scientifically appropriate, Merck seeks to publish the results of trials it conducts.  Some early phase or 
pilot trials are intended to be hypothesis-generating rather than hypothesis testing.  In such cases, publication of 
results may not be appropriate since the trial may be underpowered and the analyses complicated by statistical issues 
of multiplicity.
Merck’s policy on authorship is consistent with the requirements outlined in the ICH-Good Clinical Practice 
guidelines. In summary, authorship should reflect significant contribution to the design and conduct of the trial, 
performance or interpretation of the analysis, and/or writing of the manuscript.  All named authors must be able to 
defend the trial results and conclusions.  Merck funding of a trial will be acknowledged in publications. 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
108
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
III. Subject Protection
15.
IRB/ERC review
All clinical trials will be reviewed and approved by an independent IRB/ERC before being initiated at each site.  
Significant changes or revisions to the protocol will be approved by the IRB/ERC prior to implementation, except that 
changes required urgently to protect subject safety and well-being may be enacted in anticipation of IRB/ERC 
approval. For each site, the IRB/ERC and Merck will approve the subject informed consent form. 
16.
Safety
The guiding principle in decision-making in clinical trials is that subject welfare is of primary importance.  Potential 
subjects will be informed of the risks and benefits of, as well as alternatives to, trial participation. At a minimum, trial 
designs will take into account the local standard of care.  Subjects are never denied access to appropriate medical care 
based on participation in a Merck clinical trial. 
All participation in Merck clinical trials is voluntary.  Subjects are enrolled only after providing informed consent for 
participation.  Subjects may withdraw from a Merck trial at any time, without any influence on their access to, or 
receipt of, medical care that may otherwise be available to them.
17.
Confidentiality
Merck is committed to safeguarding subject confidentiality, to the greatest extent possible.  Unless required by law, 
only the investigator, sponsor (or representative) and/or regulatory authorities will have access to confidential medical 
records that might identify the research subject by name.  
18.
Genomic Research
Genomic Research will only be conducted in accordance with informed consent and/or as specifically authorized by 
an Ethics Committee.
IV. Financial Considerations

Payments to Investigators
Clinical trials are time- and labor-intensive.  It is Merck’s policy to compensate investigators (or the sponsoring 
institution) in a fair manner for the work performed in support of Merck trials.   Merck does not pay incentives to 
enroll subjects in its trials.  However, when enrollment is particularly challenging, additional payments may be made 
to compensate for the time spent in extra recruiting efforts.
Merck does not pay for subject referrals.  However, Merck may compensate referring physicians for time spent on 
chart review to identify potentially eligible subjects.

Clinical Research Funding 
Informed consent forms will disclose that the trial is sponsored by Merck, and that the investigator or sponsoring 
institution is being paid or provided a grant for performing the trial.  However, the local IRB/ERC may wish to alter 
the wording of the disclosure statement to be consistent with financial practices at that institution.  As noted above, 
publications resulting from Merck trials will indicate Merck as a source of funding.

Funding for Travel and Other Requests
Funding of travel by investigators and support staff (e.g., to scientific meetings, investigator meetings, etc.) will be 
consistent with local guidelines and practices including, in the U.S., those established by the American Medical 
Association (AMA). 
V. Investigator Commitment
Investigators will be expected to review Merck’s Code of Conduct as an appendix to the trial protocol, and in signing 
the protocol, agree to support these ethical and scientific standards.
* In this document, "Merck" refers to Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. and Schering Corporation, each of which is a 
subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.  Merck is known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada.  As warranted by 
context, Merck also includes affiliates and subsidiaries of Merck & Co., Inc."
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
109
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Collection and Management of Specimens for Future Biomedical Research
12.2
1. Definitions
a.
Biomarker:  A biological molecule found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that is 
a sign of a normal or abnormal process or of a condition or disease.  A biomarker may 
be used to see how well the body responds to a treatment for a disease or condition.1
b. Pharmacogenomics:  The investigation of variations of DNA and RNA characteristics 
as related to drug/vaccine response.2
c.
Pharmacogenetics:  A subset of pharmacogenomics, pharmacogenetics is the 
influence of variations in DNA sequence on drug/vaccine response.2
d. DNA:  Deoxyribonucleic acid.
e.
RNA:  Ribonucleic acid.
2. Scope of Future Biomedical Research
The DNA specimen(s) collected in the current trial will be used to study various causes 
for how subjects may respond to a drug/vaccine.  The DNA specimen(s) will be stored to 
provide a resource for future trials conducted by Merck focused on the study of 
biomarkers responsible for how a drug/vaccine enters and is removed by the body, how a 
drug/vaccine works, other pathways a drug/vaccine may interact with, or other aspects of 
disease.  The specimen(s) may be used for future assay development and/or drug/vaccine 
development.
It is now well recognized that information obtained from studying and testing clinical 
specimens offers unique opportunities to enhance our understanding of how individuals 
respond to drugs/vaccines, enhance our understanding of human disease and ultimately 
improve public health through development of novel treatments targeted to populations 
with the greatest need.  All specimens will be used by Merck or designees and research 
will be monitored and reviewed by a committee of our scientists and clinicians.
3. Summary of Procedures for Future Biomedical Research
a.
Subjects for Enrollment
All subjects enrolled in the clinical trial will be considered for enrollment in the 
Future Biomedical Research sub-trial.
b. Informed Consent
Informed consent for specimens (i.e., DNA, RNA, protein, etc.) will be obtained 
during screening for protocol enrollment from all subjects or legal guardians, at a trial 
visit by the investigator or his or her designate.  Informed consent for Future 
Biomedical Research should be presented to the subjects on Visit 1.  If delayed,
present consent at next possible Subject Visit. Informed consent must be obtained 
prior to collection of all Future Biomedical Research specimens.  Consent forms 
signed by the subject will be kept at the clinical trial site under secure storage for 
regulatory reasons.  Information contained on the consent form alone cannot be traced 
to any specimens, test results, or medical information once the specimens have been 
rendered de-identified.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
110
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Subjects are not required to participate in the Future Biomedical Research sub-trial in 
order to participate in the main trial.  Subjects who decline to sign the Future 
Biomedical Research informed consent will not have the specimen collected nor will 
they be discontinued from the main trial.
A template of each trial site’s approved informed consent will be stored in the 
Sponsor’s clinical document repository.  Each consent will be assessed for 
appropriate specimen permissions.  
Each informed consent approved by an ethics committee is assigned a unique tracking 
number.  The tracking number on this document will be used to assign specimen 
permissions for each specimen into the Entrusted Keyholder’s Specimen Database.
c.
eCRF Documentation for Future Biomedical Research Specimens
Documentation of both consent and acquisition of Future Biomedical Research 
specimens will be captured in the electronic Case Report Forms (eCRFs).  
Reconciliation of both forms will be performed to assure that only appropriately-
consented specimens are used for this sub-trial's research purposes. Any specimens 
for which such an informed consent cannot be verified will be destroyed.
d. Future Biomedical Research Specimen Collections
Blood specimens for DNA or RNA isolation will usually be obtained at a time when 
the subject is having blood drawn for other trial purposes. Specimens like tissue and 
bone marrow will usually be obtained at a time when the subject is having such a 
procedure for clinical purposes.
Specimens will be collected and sent to the laboratory designated for the trial where 
they will be processed (e.g., DNA or RNA extraction, etc) following the Merck 
approved policies and procedures for specimen handling and preparation.
If specimens are collected for a specific genotype or expression analysis as an objective 
to the main trial, this analysis is detailed in the main body of this protocol (Section 8.0 –
Statistical Analysis Plan).  These specimens will be processed, analyzed, and the 
remainder of the specimen will be destroyed.  The results of these analyses will be 
reported along with the other trial results.  A separate specimen will be obtained from 
properly-consented subjects in this protocol for storage in the biorepository for Future 
Biomedical Research.
4. Confidential Subject Information for Future Biomedical Research 
In order to optimize the research that can be conducted with Future Biomedical Research 
specimens, it is critical to link subject' clinical information with future test results. In fact 
little or no research can be conducted without connecting the clinical trial data to the 
specimen. The clinical data allow specific analyses to be conducted. Knowing subject 
characteristics like gender, age, medical history and treatment outcomes are critical to 
understanding clinical context of analytical results.
To maintain privacy of information collected from specimens obtained for Future 
Biomedical Research, Merck has developed secure policies and procedures.  All 
specimens will be de-identified as described below. 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
111
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
At the clinical trial site, unique codes will be placed on the Future Biomedical Research 
specimens for transfer to the storage facility.  This first code is a random number which 
does not contain any personally identifying information embedded within it. The link (or 
key) between subject identifiers and this first unique code will be held at the trial site.  No 
personal identifiers will appear on the specimen tube.  
This first code will be replaced with a second code at a Merck designated storage/lab 
facility.  The second code is linked to the first code via a second key. The specimen is 
now double coded.  Specimens with the second code are sometimes referred to as de-
identified specimens. The use of the second code provides additional confidentiality and 
privacy protection for subjects over the use of a single code.  Access to both keys would 
be needed to link any data or specimens back to the subject's identification.
The second code is stored separately from the first code and all associated personal 
specimen identifiers.  A secure link, the second key, will be utilized to match the second 
code to the first code to allow clinical information collected during the course of the trial 
to be associated with the specimen.  This second key will be transferred under secure 
procedures by the Merck designated facility to an Entrusted Keyholder at Merck.  The 
second code will be logged into the primary biorepository database at Merck and, in this 
database, this identifier will not have identifying demographic data or identifying clinical 
information (i.e., race, sex, age, diagnosis, lab values) associated with it. The specimen 
will be stored in a designated biorepository site with secure policies and procedures for 
specimen storage and usage.
The second key can be utilized to reconstruct the link between the results of future 
biomedical research and the clinical information, at the time of analysis.  This linkage 
would not be possible for the scientist conducting the analysis, but can only be done by 
the Merck Entrusted Keyholder under strict security policies and procedures.  The Merck 
Entrusted Keyholder will link the information and then issue a de-identified data set for 
analysis.  The only other circumstance by which future biomedical research data would 
be directly linked to the full clinical data set would be those situations mandated by 
regulatory authorities (e.g., EMEA, FDA), whereby this information would be directly 
transferred to the regulatory authority.
5. Biorepository Specimen Usage
Specimens obtained for the Merck Biorepository will be used for analyses using good 
scientific practices.  However, exploratory analyses will not be conducted under the 
highly validated conditions usually associated with regulatory approval of diagnostics.  
The scope of research performed on these specimens is limited to the investigation of the 
variability in biomarkers that may correlate with a clinical phenotype in subjects.
Analyses utilizing the Future Biomedical Research specimens may be performed by 
Merck, or an additional third party (e.g., a university investigator) designated by Merck.  
The investigator conducting the analysis will be provided with double coded specimens.  
Re-association of analysis results with corresponding clinical data will only be conducted 
by the Merck Entrusted Keyholder.  Any contracted third party analyses will conform to 
the specific scope of analysis outlined in this sub-trial.  Future Biomedical Research 
specimens remaining with the third party after the specific analysis is performed will be 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
112
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
returned to the sponsor or destroyed and documentation of destruction will be reported to 
Merck.
6. Withdrawal From Future Biomedical Research 
Subjects may withdraw their consent for Future Biomedical Research and have their 
specimens and all derivatives destroyed.   Subjects may withdraw consent at any time by 
writing to the principal investigator for the main trial.  If medical records for the main 
trial are still available, the investigator will contact Merck using the designated mailbox 
and a form will be provided by Merck to 
obtain appropriate information to complete specimen withdrawal.  Subsequently, the 
subject's specimens will be removed from the biorepository and be destroyed. A letter 
will be sent from Merck to the investigator confirming the destruction. It is the 
responsibility of the investigator to inform the subject of completion of destruction.  Any 
analyses in progress at the time of request for destruction or already performed prior to 
the request being received by the Sponsor will continue to be used as part of the overall 
research trial data and results. No new analyses would be generated after the request is 
received.
In the event that the medical records for the main trial are no longer available (e.g., if the 
investigator is no longer required by regulatory authorities to retain the main trial 
records) or the specimens have been completely anonymized, there will no longer be a 
link between the subject’s personal information and their specimens. In this situation, the 
request for specimen destruction can not be processed. 
7. Retention of Specimens 
Future Biomedical Research specimens will be stored in the biorepository for potential 
analysis for up to 20 years from acquisition.  Specimens may be stored for longer if a 
regulatory or governmental authority has active questions that are being answered.  In 
this special circumstance, specimens will be stored until these questions have been 
adequately addressed.
Specimens from the trial site will be shipped to a central laboratory and then shipped to 
the Merck designated biorepository.  The specimens will be stored under strict 
supervision in a limited access facility which operates to assure the integrity of the 
specimens.  Specimens will be destroyed according to Merck policies and procedures and 
this destruction will be documented in the biorepository database.
8. Data Security
Separate databases for specimen information and for results from the Future Biomedical 
Research sub-trial will be maintained by Merck.  This is done to separate the future 
exploratory test results (which include genetic data) from the clinical trial database 
thereby maintaining a separation of subject number and these results.  The separate 
databases are accessible only to the authorized Sponsor and the designated trial
administrator research personnel and/or collaborators.  Database user authentication is 
highly secure, and is accomplished using network security policies and practices based in 
international standards (e.g., ISO17799) to protect against unauthorized access.  The 
Merck Entrusted Keyholder maintains control over access to all specimen data.  These 
 
 
04R3DR
PPD
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
113
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
data are collected for future biomedical research purposes only as specified in this sub-
trial will not be used for any other purpose.
9. Reporting of Future Biomedical Research Data to Subjects
There is no definitive requirement in either authoritative ethical guidelines or in relevant 
laws/regulations globally that research results have to be, in all circumstances, returned to 
the trial participant.  Some guidelines advocate a proactive return of data in certain 
instances.  No information obtained from exploratory laboratory studies will be reported 
to the subject or family, and this information will not be entered into the clinical database 
maintained by Merck on subjects.  Principle reasons not to inform or return results to the 
subject include: lack of relevance to subject health, limitations of predictive capability, 
concerns of misinterpretation and absence of good clinical practice standards in 
exploratory research typically used for diagnostic testing.
If any exploratory results are definitively associated with clinical significance for subjects 
while the clinical trial is still ongoing, investigators will be contacted with information as 
to how to offer clinical diagnostic  testing (paid for by Merck) to subjects enrolled and 
will be advised that counseling should be made available for all who choose to participate 
in this diagnostic testing. 
If any exploratory results are definitively associated with clinical significance after 
completion of a clinical trial, Merck will publish the results without revealing specific 
subject information, inform all trial sites who participated in the Merck clinical trial and 
post anonymized results on our website or other accredited website(s) that allow for 
public access (e.g., disease societies who have primary interest in the results) in order that 
physicians and patients may pursue clinical diagnostic testing if they wish to do so.
10. Gender, Ethnicity and Minorities
Although many diagnoses differ in terms of frequency by ethnic population and gender, 
every effort will be made to recruit all subjects diagnosed and treated on Merck clinical 
trials for future biomedical research.  When trials with specimens are conducted and 
subjects identified to serve as controls, every effort will be made to group specimens 
from subjects and controls to represent the ethnic and gender population representative of 
the disease under current investigation.
11. Risks Versus Benefits of Future Biomedical Research
For future biomedical research, risks to the subject have been minimized. Risks include 
those associated with venipuncture to obtain the whole blood specimen.  This specimen 
will be obtained at the time of routine blood specimens drawn in the main trial. 
Merck has developed strict security, policies and procedures to address subject data 
privacy concerns.  Data privacy risks are largely limited to rare situations involving 
possible breach of confidentiality.  In this highly unlikely situation there is risk that the 
information, like all medical information, may be misused.
It is necessary for subject-related data (i.e., ethnicity, diagnosis, drug therapy and dosage, 
age, toxicities, etc.) to be re-associated to double coded specimens at the time of data 
analysis.  These subject data will be kept in a separate, secure Merck database, and all 
specimens will be stripped of subject identifiers.  No information concerning results 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
114
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
obtained from future biomedical research will be entered into clinical records, nor will it 
be released to outside persons or agencies, in any way that could be tied to an individual 
subject.
12. Self-Reported Ethnicity
Subjects who participate in future biomedical research will be asked to provide self-
reported ethnicity.  Subjects who do not wish to provide this data may still participate in 
future biomedical research.
13. Questions
Any questions related to the future biomedical research should be e-mailed directly to 
14. References
1. National Cancer Institute: http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary/?searchTxt=biomarker
2. International Conference on Harmonization: DEFINITIONS FOR GENOMIC 
BIOMARKERS, PHARMACOGENOMICS, PHARMACOGENETICS, GENOMIC 
DATA 
AND 
SAMPLE 
CODING 
CATEGORIES 
-
E15; 
http://www.ich.org/LOB/media/MEDIA3383.pdf
 
 
04R3DR
PPD
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
115
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Pharmacogenetics Informational Brochure for IRBs/IECs & Investigational Site Staff
12.3
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
116
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
117
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
118
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
119
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
120
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
121
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
122
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
123
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
124
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Approximate Blood/Tissue Volumes Drawn/Collected by Trial Visit and by 
12.4
Sample Types
Trial Visit
Screening
Treatment 
Post-Treatment
Screening
Randomization
OTX
EOT
EFU
Day 28
Day 14
Blood Parameter 
Approximate Blood Volume (mL)
Hematology
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
Serum/Plasma 
Chemistry
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
Serum β-Human 
Chorionic 
Gonadotropin (β-
hCG)a
5.5
5.5
Blood for Future 
Biomedical 
Research
8.5
Serum/plasma for 
PK/PD evaluation
4.0
8.0
Expected Total 
(mL)b,c
13.0
23.5
7.0
7.0
7.0
5.5
7.0
a.
For female subjects of child bearing potential only
b.
Additional blood samples may be collected for evaluation of an underlying etiology that may have caused an abnormal 
laboratory result (e.g., elevated liver transaminase level).  The trial site guidance for assessment and follow up of these 
criteria can be found in the Investigator Trial File Binder.  Depending on the results of initial testing, additional blood 
volumes could range from approximately 8.5 mL up to approximately 92.0 mL and could include HIV and/or hepatitis 
testing.
c.
Blood cultures will be collected in all subjects prior to initiation of IV study therapy. Subjects with positive blood 
cultures at screening should have follow-up blood cultures collected daily until 2 consecutive blood cultures demonstrate 
no growth. Depending on the results, additional blood volumes could range from approximately 40mL/patient (2 sets of 
blood cultures (10mL x 2 = 20mL)/aerobic culture; (10mL x 2 = 20mL)/anaerobic culture.) up to 560 mL.  Blood 
cultures will be performed at the local microbiology laboratory according to recognized methods and per each 
laboratory’s standard procedures.
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
125
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
Disease Definition and Diagnostic Guidelines for Infection Types Targeted for 
12.5
Enrollment in Protocol 013
Diagnostic criteria, including clinical, radiologic (if relevant),
and microbiological 
characteristics, for each infection type of interest for Protocol 013 are outlined within this 
Appendix.  To be considered eligible, a subject must meet the diagnostic criteria within these 
guidelines for the relevant primary infection site. 
In addition to those listed in Table 13, clinical signs and symptoms described for each of the 
infection types within this document will be monitored by the Primary Investigator (or 
designee) at baseline and throughout the study to determine resolution, persistence, or 
progression at each relevant time point described in the protocol.
Contents
I. 
Hospital-Acquired and Ventilator- Associated Bacterial Pneumonia (HABP/VABP)
II.
Complicated Intra-Abdominal Infection (cIAI)
III. Complicated Urinary Tract Infection (cUTI)
I.
HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED 
AND 
VENTILATOR-ASSOCIATED 
BACTERIAL 
PNEUMONIA (HABP/VABP)
A. Definitions
1. Hospital-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (HABP) 
HABP is an acute infection of the pulmonary parenchyma that is associated with 
clinical signs and symptoms accompanied by presence of new or progressive 
infiltrate on chest radiograph occurring in a subject after being hospitalized for 
more than 48 hours or within 7 days after discharge from hospital. Of note, such 
subjects may or may not require mechanical ventilation (ventilated HABP and 
non-ventilated HABP).  
2. Ventilator-Associated Bacterial Pneumonia (VABP)
VABP is an acute infection of the pulmonary parenchyma that is associated with 
clinical signs and symptoms accompanied by presence of new or progressive 
infiltrate on chest radiograph occurring in a subject already receiving mechanical 
ventilation via an endotracheal tube for a minimum of 48 hours.
B. Diagnostic Guidelines
For a diagnosis of HABP/VABP, supportive radiographic, clinical, and 
microbiological findings should be present, with onset of criteria occurring after more 
than 48 hours of hospitalization or within 7 days after discharge from a hospital (for 
HABP) or at least 48 hours after mechanical ventilation (for VABP):
1. Radiographic 
The chest radiograph should show the presence of a new or progressive 
infiltrate(s) characteristic of bacterial pneumonia. 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
126
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
2. Clinical
Subjects should have at least one of the following clinical findings that support a 
diagnosis of HABP/VABP: 

New onset or worsening pulmonary symptoms or signs, such as cough, 
dyspnea, tachypnea (e.g., respiratory rate greater than 25 breaths per minute), 
expectorated sputum production, or requirement for mechanical ventilation

Hypoxemia (e.g., a partial pressure of oxygen less than 60 millimeters of 
mercury while the patient is breathing room air, as determined by arterial blood 
gas (ABG) or worsening of the ratio of the partial pressure of oxygen to the 
fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2))

Need for acute changes in the ventilator support system to enhance 
oxygenation, as determined by worsening oxygenation (ABG or PaO2/FiO2) 
or needed changes in the amount of positive end-expiratory pressure

New onset of suctioned respiratory secretions 
AND,
Subjects should have at least one of the following clinical findings:

Fever, defined as body temperature greater than or equal to 38.0°C (100.4°F);

Hypothermia, defined as core body temperature less than or equal to 35°C 
(95.2°F); 

Total peripheral white blood cell (WBC) count greater than or equal to 10,000 
cells/cubic millimeter (mm3)

Leukopenia with total WBC less than or equal to 4,500 cells/mm3;

Greater than 15 percent immature neutrophils (bands) noted on peripheral 
blood smear
3. Microbiological 
Subjects must have a recognized bacterial pathogen isolated from an appropriate 
lower respiratory tract specimen.
Microscopic examination of Gram stained smears must have been performed prior to 
randomization to ensure the adequacy/quality of the specimen. 
The low-power 
microscopic view of the Gram stain can be used to ascertain the quality of the respiratory 
specimen, which helps to ensure that the respiratory specimen sent for culture does not 
represent oropharyngeal contamination (e.g., fewer than 10 squamous epithelial cells and 
greater than 25 neutrophils is an example of an adequate expectorated sputum specimen). 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
127
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
II. COMPLICATED INTRA-ABDOMINAL INFECTION (CIAI)
A. Definition
Intra-abdominal infection (IAI) is broadly defined as peritoneal inflammation in 
response to microorganisms, resulting in purulence in the peritoneal cavity. IAI are 
classified as uncomplicated or complicated based on the extent of infection. 
Complicated IAI (cIAI) extends beyond the hollow viscus of origin into the peritoneal 
space and is associated with either abscess formation or peritonitis.
B. Diagnostic Guidelines
The subject must have had an operative procedure during which an infection-site 
culture was obtained within 1 week.  Procedures include open laparotomy, 
laparoscopy, and percutaneous drainage of intra-abdominal abscess.  
For a diagnosis of cIAI, supportive clinical and microbiological findings should be 
present.
1. Clinical
A diagnosis of cIAI should include at least one of the following as evidence of 
intraperitoneal infection:

Intra-abdominal abscess, including splenic or liver abscess

Appendicitis complication by perforation or abscess formation 

Diverticulitis complicated by perforation or abscess formation

Cholecystitis with evidence of perforation or empyema 

Perforation of the large or small intestine with abscess or fecal contamination

Gastric or duodenal ulcer perforation  

Peritonitis due to perforated viscus, surgical intervention, or other focus of 
infection. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis associated with cirrhosis and 
chronic ascites are not eligible.
AND
At least one of the following clinical signs and symptoms of infection should be 
present:

Fever, defined as body temperature greater than or equal to 38.0°C (100.4°F);

Hypothermia, defined as core body temperature less than or equal to 35°C 
(95.2°F); 

Abdominal pain or flank pain, or pain caused by cIAI that is referred to another 
anatomic area such as back or hip 

Nausea or vomiting 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
128
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 

White blood cell count elevated beyond the upper limit of the normal 
laboratory range or the proportion of band forms of the white blood cell 
differential count beyond the upper limit of the normal laboratory range
2. Microbiological
The subject has recognized pathogens cultured from purulent material from intra-
abdominal space obtained during a surgical operation or percutaneous drainage. 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
129
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
III.COMPLICATED URINARY TRACT INFECTION (CUTI)
A. Definition
A complicated urinary tract infection is an infection of one or more structures in the 
urinary system in the presence of a functional or anatomical abnormality of the urinary 
tract or in the presence of catheterization. Pyelonephritis, regardless of underlying 
abnormalities of the urinary tract, is a type of cUTI that affects one or both kidneys.  
UTIs are a clinical syndrome characterized by pyuria and a documented microbial 
pathogen on culture of urine or blood, accompanied by local and systemic signs and 
symptoms of infection.
B. Diagnostic Guidelines
For a diagnosis of cUTI, including pyelonephritis, supportive clinical and 
microbiological findings should be present.
1. Clinical
Subject has at least two of the following local or systemic signs and symptoms:

Local signs and symptoms: Dysuria, urinary frequency, suprapubic or pelvic 
pain, or urinary urgency

Systemic signs and symptoms: Fever (defined as body temperature greater than
or equal to 38.0°C (100.4°F), chills or rigors (accompanied by fever), nausea 
or vomiting, flank pain or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness on physical 
examination
AND

Pyuria determined by a midstream clean-catch (MSCC) or catheterized 
(indwelling or straight catheter) urine specimen with ≥10 white blood cells 
(WBCs) per high-power field (hpf) on standard examination of urine sediment 
or ≥10 WBCs/mm3 in unspun urine.
NOTE: If pyuria cannot be determined by urinalysis in a clinically relevant 
timeframe, a urine dipstick may be employed as a rapid diagnostic aid.  If 
urine dipstick is used, a positive test for leukocyte esterase is the preferred 
indicator for the presence of pyuria.  
2. Anatomical
Subject has at least one of the following conditions associated with a risk for 
developing cUTI must be present: 

Indwelling urinary catheter or other urinary bladder instrumentation

Urinary retention (at least 100 mL of residual urine after voiding) 

Neurogenic bladder 

Obstructive uropathy (nephrolithiasis or fibrosis)

Azotemia 
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
130
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
OR,
Subject has pyelonephritis and normal urinary tract anatomy.
3. Microbiological
Subject has a positive urine culture as defined below: 

≥105 CFU/mL of uropathogen either from a mid-stream clean catch (MSCC) or 
indwelling catheter urine specimen, OR

≥104 CFU/mL of uropathogen either from a MSCC or indwelling catheter 
urine specimen if blood culture is also positive, OR

≥102 CFU/mL of uropathogen from  a straight catheter specimen 
NOTE: For subjects with an indwelling catheter, samples should be collected
following the placement of a new catheter. If the placement of a new catheter is 
contraindicated or is not feasible, specimens should be collected using aseptic 
techniques with the urine obtained through a properly disinfected collection port. 
Urine samples should never be obtained from a collection bag.  
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
131
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
APACHE II Severity of Disease Classification System – APACHE II Score Form
12.6
A. Acute Physiology Score:
HIGH ABNORMAL RANGE
LOW ABNORMAL RANGE
PHYSIOLOGIC VARIABLE
+4
+3
+2
+1
0
+1
+2
+3
+4
1
Temperature rectal (oC)
□
≥41
□
39-40.9
□
38.5-38.9
□
36.0-38.4
□
34-35.9
□
32-33.9
□
30-31.9
□
≤29.9
2
Mean arterial pressure =
(2 x diastolic + systolic)/3
□
≥160
□
130-159
□
110-129
□
70-109
□
50-69
□
≤49
3
Heart rate (ventricular response)
□
≥180
□
140-179
□
110-139
□
70-109
□
55-69
□
40-54
□
≤39
4
Respiratory rate (nonventilated or ventilated)
□
≥50
□
35-49
□
25-34
□
12-24
□
10-11
□
6-9
□
≤5
5
Oxygenation
A-aDO2 or PaO2 (mm Hg)
a)FiO2≥0.5:record A-aDO2
□
≥500
□
350-499
□
200-349
□
<200
b)FiO2<0.5:record only PaO2
□
>70
□
61-70
□
55-60
□
<55
6
Arterial pH (*If no ABGs record Serum HCO3 
below)
□
≥7.7
□
7.6-7.69
□
7.5-7.59
□
7.33-7.49
□
7.25-7.32
□
7.15-7.24
□
<7.15
7
Serum Sodium
□
≥180
□
160-179
□
155-159
□
150-154
□
130-149
□
120-129
□
111-119
□
≤110
8
Serum Potassium
□
≥7
□
6-6.9
□
5.5-5.9
□
3.5-5.4
□
3-3.4
□
2.5-2.9
□
<2.5
9
Serum Creatinine (mg/dL) 
Double Point for acute renal failure
□
≥3.5
□
2-3.4
□
1.5-1.9
□
0.6-1.4
□
<0.6
10
Hematocrit (%)
□
≥60
□
50-59.9
□
46-49.9
□
30-45.9
□
20-29.9
□
<20
11
White Blood Count
□
≥40
□
20-39.9
□
15-19.9
□
3-14.9
□
1-2.9
□
<1
12
Glasgow Coma Scale 
Enter 15 minus actual GCS –see calculations in 
table below
15-GCS =
A
Total Acute Physiology Score (APS)
Sum of the 12 individual variable points =
*
Serum HCO3(venous-mMol/L)
(Not preferred, use if no ABGs)
□
≥52
□
41-51.9
□
32-40.9
□
22-31.9
□
18-21.9
□
15-17.9
□
<15
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
132
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
APACHE II Severity of Disease Classification System
Glasgow Coma Score (GCS)
(circle appropriate response)
Eyes open (E)
4 - spontaneously
3 - to verbal command
2 - to painful stimul
1 - no response
Motor response (M)
6 - to verbal command
5 - localizes to pain
4 - withdraws to pain
3 - decorticate
2 - decerebrate
1 - no response
Verbal - Response (V)
5-oriented and 
controversed
4-confused and 
disoriented
3-inappropriate words
2-incomprehensible 
sounds
1-no response
GLASGOW COMA SCORE† = E + M + V
†Subjects scoring 3 or 4 have an 85% chance of dying or remaining vegetative, while scores 
above 11 indicate 5 to 10% likelihood of death or vegetative state and 85% chance of 
moderate disability or good recovery.  Intermediate scores correlate with proportional 
chances of subjects recovering.
B. Age Points
Age
Points
≤44
0
45-54
2
55-64
3
65-74
5
≥75
6
Age points = _________
C. Chronic Health Points (CHE)
If any of the 5 CHE categories is answered with yes give +5 points for nonoperative or 
emergency postoperative subjects, or +2 points for elective postoperative subjects
Liver - Cirrhosis with Portal Hypertension (PHT) or encephalopathy
Cardiovascular –NYHA Class IV angina or at rest or with minimal self-care activities
Pulmonary -chronic hypoxemia or hypercapnia or polycythemia or PHT >40 mm Hg
Kidney -chronic peritoneal or hemodialysis
Immune -immune compromised host
Chronic Health Points=________
APACHE-II Score is sum of A+B+C
APS points A _______
Age points +B _______
Chronic Health Points +C _________
Total APACHE-II Score=________
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
133
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
List of Abbreviations
12.7
Abbreviation
Definition
AC
alveolar cells
AE
adverse event
ALT
alanine aminotransferase
APACHE
acute physiology and chronic health evaluation 
ASaT
All-Subjects-asreated
AUC0-∞
area under the concentration time curve 
AST
Aspartate aminotransferase
β-hCG
β-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
BLI
β-lactamase inhibitor 
CBA
colistin base activity
C-G
Cockcroft-Gault
cIAI
complicated intra-abdominal infection
CIL
cilastatin
CLCr
Creatinine clearance
CLplasma
plasma clearance
CMS
colistimethate sodium
CR
carbapenem-resistant
cUTI
complicated urinary tract infection
DCIV
discontinuation of IV therapy
eCRF
electronic case report form
EFU
early follow-up
ELF
epithelial lung fluid
EOT
end of therapy
ESRD
end-stage renal disease
GFR
glomerular filtration rate
HABP
hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia
IMI
imipenem/cilastatin
IU
international units 
IV
intravenous (parental)
KPC
Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase 
MDR
multi-drug resistant
ME
microbiologically-evaluable
mg
milligram 
mMITT
microbiological modified intent-to-treat
MSCC
mid-stream clean catch
OTX
on-therapy visit
PD
pharmacodynamic
PGt
pharmacogenetic
PK
pharmacokinetic
REL
relebactam
SMX
sulfamethoxazole
t1/2
terminal half-life 
TMP
trimethoprim
ULN
upper limit of normal
VABP
ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL

Product:  MK-7655A 
134
Protocol/Amendment No.: 013-03 
MK-7655A-013-03 Final Protocol
11-Sep-2017
Confidential 
13.0 SIGNATURES
Sponsor's Representative
13.1
TYPED NAME                                 SIGNATURE                                   DATE
_________________________      ____________________________     __________
Investigator
13.2
I agree to conduct this clinical trial in accordance with the design outlined in this protocol 
and to abide by all provisions of this protocol (including other manuals and documents 
referenced from this protocol).  I agree to conduct the trial in accordance with generally 
accepted standards of Good Clinical Practice.  I also agree to report all information or data in 
accordance with the protocol and, in particular, I agree to report any serious adverse events 
as defined in Section 7.0 – Assessing and Recording Adverse Events.  I also agree to handle 
all clinical supplies provided by the Sponsor and collect and handle all clinical specimens in 
accordance with the protocol.  I understand that information that identifies me will be used 
and disclosed as described in the protocol, and that such information may be transferred to 
countries that do not have laws protecting such information.  Since the information in this 
protocol and the referenced Investigator’s Brochure is confidential, I understand that its 
disclosure to any third parties, other than those involved in approval, supervision, or conduct 
of the trial is prohibited.  I will ensure that the necessary precautions are taken to protect such 
information from loss, inadvertent disclosure or access by third parties.
TYPED NAME                                 SIGNATURE                                   DATE
_________________________      ____________________________     __________
 
 
04R3DR
 
 
04WXHL