Cubist daptomycin

Two multicenter Phase II trials demonstrated daptomycin efficacy against skin and soft tissue infections comparable to conventional therapy (beta-lactam agents, semi-synthetic penicillins or vancomycin) when administered at a dose of 2 mg/kg once daily. Bacteriologic "cure" occurred in 96.1% daptomycin treated patients vs. 93.9% conventionally treated patients. Daptomycin 3 mg/kg b.i.d. may be effective in treating bacteremia, study results indicate, though the sample size was too small for meaningful comparison. Two Phase III trials for complicated skin and soft tissue infections were initiated in the U.S. and Europe in March