Biapenem (CLI 86815) is a carbapenem antibiotic of in vitro antibacterial activity encompassing many Gramnegative and Gram-positive aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, including species producing β-lactamases. Biapenem (CLI 86815) is more stable than imipenem, mero-penem and panipenem to hydrolysis by human renal dihydropeptidase-I (DHP-I), and therefore does not require the coadministration of a DHP-I inhibitor. In randomised, nonblind or double-blind clinical trials, biapenem showed good clinical and bacteriological efficacy (similar to that of imipenem/ cilastatin) in the treatment of adult patients with intra-abdominal infections, lower respiratory infections or complicated urinary tract infections.