Replidyne cuts headcount by 80%

US drug developer Replidyne has announced the restructuring of its operations reducing its current employee headcount by around 80% to five employees in actions that are scheduled to take place during September and October. As a result, Replidyne will suspend further development activities of REP3123, its investigational agent for the treatment of Clostridium difficile bacteria and C. difficile infection, as well as novel anti-infective compounds based on its DNA replication inhibition technology. Following completion of the restructuring actions, the company will limit its activities to completing its review of previously-announced strategic alternatives.

"The actions outlined...position us to focus on the strategic alternatives process that we initiated several months ago, as well as preserve our cash resources," stated chief executive Kenneth Collins. "The process we are conducting involves a number of alternatives including merger or acquisition of the company together with the possible sale of our C. difficile and DNA replication inhibition programs. While the process is ongoing, we are encouraged by our progress to date," he added.