Actelion to move ahead with phase III studies of CDAD therapy

Actelion has announced plans to move forward with phase III trials of cadazolid, a developmental therapy for C. difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD).

Results of a therapeutic exploratory phase II dose-finding study randomising 84 patients has demonstrated that the treatment can potentially offer a strong performance in terms of safety, efficacy and tolerability.

Once full data analysis of this study has been completed, the pharmaceutical company will discuss the details of the planned phase III programme with the relevant health authorities.

This comes shortly after Actelion also announced that it will be proceeding with phase III clinical development for ponesimod, a new therapy for moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis, based on encouraging findings from mid-stage trials.

Dr Jean-Paul Clozel, chief executive officer of Actelion, said: "With the results from both ponesimod in psoriasis and cadazolid in CDAD, we have laid the foundation for our mid-term goal of building a second specialty franchise."