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Destiny Pharma lands 'fast track' designation for MRSA drug
Destiny Pharma has been granted fast-track designation by the US drug regulator for its lead clinical candidate.
Exeporfinium chloride (XF-73) has been granted the designation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its development as a means of prevention of post-surgical infections such as methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
The fast-track designation is typically applied to accelerate the development of drugs that have the potential to treat serious diseases and hold significant advantages over existing treatments.
Neil Clark, chief executive of Destiny Pharma, said: "This represents a further recognition of the potential for the drug and the need for an effective prevention for post-surgical staphylococcal infections, such as MRSA, that can result in significant complications for patients and significantly increased costs for hospitals."
MRSA is one of the most prominent superbugs in the world and was featured on the World Health Organisation's 'most dangerous' list of superbugs last year.
XF-73 has been shown to kill bacteria at a rapid rate and therefor has potential as an effective treatment for bacterial infections and superbugs such as MRSA in hospital patients.
"On our analysis of published data, there are approximately 40m surgeries per annum, in the USA alone, where the patient is at risk of a post-surgical infection. We look forward to continuing our clinical development of XF-73 which remains on track and we expect Phase II data in 2019," said Clark.
As of 0902 GMT, Destiny Pharma's shares were down 0.38% at 127.50p.