Astellas announces European launch of Dificlir

Astellas has introduced a new therapy for Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) in Europe called Dificlir, having received marketing authorisation for the drug in December 2011.

The product is an orally-administered macrocyclic antibiotic with a targeted spectrum of action developed by Optimer Pharmaceuticals, with Astellas purchasing European commercialisation rights last February.

In clinical trials, it has been shown to offer non-inferior efficacy compared to vancomycin, while also helping to significantly reduce rates of recurrence of the condition.

Astellas is set to pay milestone fees of 50 million euros (40.61 million pounds) to Optimer, which includes 40 million euros due six months after Dificlir's European approval, plus a ten million euro payment triggered by its EU commercial debut.

The manufacturer said: "Astellas expects to provide a new therapeutic option with CDI patients and further fortify its infectious disease franchise."

Earlier this month, the company announced positive data from a clinical trial of tivozanib, the new treatment for advanced renal cell carcinoma that it is developing alongside Aveo Oncology.