CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 22 (UPI) -- A U.S. drug company says the powerful antibiotic oritavancin has been shown to be successful in treating drug-resistant infections.
Targanta Therapeutics Corp. said a single dose of oritavancin was effective in fighting methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. While Targanta is seeking approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration based on a dose of 200 milligrams per day for up to a week, the company said a new study showed a single 1,200-milligram dose of oritavancin was equally as effective as a three- to seven-day course of therapy with the lower dosage.
Targanta said its FDA submission includes data from 19 clinical trials, including two Phase 3 clinical trials that examined the safety and efficacy of intravenous use of the drug.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said more than 126,000 people are infected with MRSA annually.
