Cubist plans to move CB-183,315 into Phase 3 trial for treatment of CDAD

Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBST) today announced it plans to move CB-183,315, being studied for the treatment of a severe and sometimes life-threatening diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile known as C. difficile-associated diarrhea, or CDAD, into late-stage trials. Positive results from a Phase 2 trial for CB-183,315 were announced earlier this year in June, and data from that study were presented earlier this month at the 2011 Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy in Chicago. Cubist expects to initiate Phase 3 trials in the first half of 2012.

Steven Gilman, Ph.D., Cubist's Executive Vice President of Research and Development, said, "The Phase 2 data supported a decision to move CB-183,315 into Phase 3, and we have been making plans to move in that direction pending a comprehensive review of the CDAD commercial opportunity. With that review now complete and a positive commercial analysis, we are excited to be able to advance this compound to help meet what remains a significant and growing need in the treatment of CDAD around the world. Just like our approach to MRSA or with infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, we are dedicated to providing clinicians, who are seeking multiple agents with different mechanisms of action to effectively treat CDAD, a promising new therapy in CB-183,315."