Positive top-line Ph II data for Targanta's oritavancin

Targanta Therapeutics Corp has reported positive top-line results from a Phase II trial investigating the efficacy and safety of oritavancin at single or infrequent doses for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections.

The agent is the US drug developer's lead antibiotic candidate targeting gram-positive organisms, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. According to the firm, oritavancin, given in a single or in an infrequent dosing regimen, demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety to a three-to-seven day course of oritavancin therapy, as administered in two previously-conducted Phase III trials for the treatment of cSSSI. Each of these late-stage studies met their primary endpoint.

These top-line efficacy results from SIMPLIFI are consistent with Targanta's previously-published preclinical studies, noted the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based firm. The trial was designed based on oritavancin's unique pharmacokinetic profile and demonstrated concentration-dependent bactericidal activity.