Wyeth's Tygacil effective against drug-resistant bacteria, studies say

By Angela McDaniels

Seattle, Dec. 16 - Wyeth Pharmaceuticals said data from multiple studies indicate that Tygacil (tigecycline) exhibits activity against many resistant Gram-negative bacteria, including extended-spectrum beta lactamase-producing organisms.

Nearly 99% of acinetobacter isolates tested were susceptible to Tygacil, the company said.

"While much has been reported on the rising rates of Gram-positive organisms, such as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, there is increasing concern throughout the global medical community over resistant Gram-negative organisms, especially those that are extended-spectrum beta lactamase producing," said David Wu, assistant vice president of clinical affairs, in a company news release.

Extended-spectrum beta lactamases are enzymes produced by Gram-negative bacteria that make the organisms drug resistant. Tygacil is not affected by these enzymes, the company said.

Results from the Tigecycline Evaluation Surveillance Trial demonstrate Tygacil's in vitro activity against commonly encountered Gram-negative bacteria strains such as acinetobacter baumannii, which are found in certain community- and hospital-acquired infections.

Other data demonstrated Tygacil's in vitro activity against important extended-spectrum beta lactamases-producing bacteria such as klebsiella pneumoniae and escherichia coli isolates, the company said.

The data was presented at the 45th Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy in Washington, D.C.

Tygacil, a first-in-class glycylcycline, is an intravenous antibiotic with an expanded broad spectrum of in vitro activity against Gram positives, Gram negatives, anaerobes, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant enterococci. It was approved in the United States on June 16 for complicated skin and skin structure infections and complicated intra-abdominal infections.

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth, is based in Madison, N.J., and develops consumer and animal health care products.

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