Optimer Pharmaceuticals Obtains Additional Fidaxomicin Patent

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: OPTR) announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued U.S. Patent 7,863,249 which covers additional dosage forms of fidaxomicin. This patent further strengthens Optimer's patent protection for fidaxomicin. The newly issued patent and a previously issued patent encompassing fidaxomicin are both orange book listable.

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"The issuance of this patent is part of our intellectual property strategy to protect fidaxomicin in all methods and dosages for treating patients with Clostridium difficile infection," said Pedro Lichtinger, President and CEO of Optimer.  

Fidaxomicin is a narrow spectrum antibiotic being developed for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). In two Phase 3 trials for the treatment of CDI, fidaxomicin was equally effective in clinical cure when compared to vancomycin, the only FDA approved product for CDI.  Most importantly, fidaxomicin was statistically superior to vancomycin in global cure and in reducing recurrences of CDI by up to 47%. Optimer has filed marketing applications in the U.S. and the EU for fidaxomicin for the treatment of CDI and for the prevention of recurrences.

About Optimer Pharmaceuticals

Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing hospital specialty products to treat serious infections and address unmet medical needs. Optimer has two anti-infective product candidates in development, fidaxomicin and Pruvel™ (prulifloxacin).  Fidaxomicin is a narrow spectrum antibiotic being developed for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI).  The Company has submitted an NDA to the FDA, and filed a MAA with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for fidaxomicin. Pruvel™ is a prodrug in the fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics being developed as a treatment for infectious diarrhea. Additional information can be found at http://www.optimerpharma.com.

SOURCE Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc.