The European Commission has granted Actavis' subsidiary Durata Therapeutics International B.V, marketing authorisation for  Xydalba (dalbavancin) for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) in adults.  Xydalba is the first and only once-weekly IV antibiotic approved for the treatment of ABSSSI with a two-dose regimen of 1000 mg followed one week later by 500 mg, each administered over 30 minutes.

"We are excited that  Xydalba has received regulatory approval throughout Europe," says David Nicholson, executive vice president, Global Brands research and development, Actavis. "The unique dosage regimen of  Xydalba provides a new treatment approach that gives patients, healthcare professionals and hospitals greater flexibility in managing serious skin infections in both inpatient and outpatient sites of care. At Actavis, we are dedicated to helping bridge the gap in existing treatment options and are pleased to bring  Xydalba to patients."

Through a licence and supply agreement with Angelini, an international group leader in the pharmaceutical and mass-market sectors,  Xydalba will be commercialised in 36 countries, which include Italy, Spain, Poland, Portugal, many Eastern European countries, Russia, Turkey, and Commonwealth of Independent States.

"Angelini is proud of partnering with Actavis on  Xydalba for treating patients affected by serious skin infections. The new approach will allow patients, healthcare professionals and hospitals to overcome the standard daily or twice-daily IV antibiotic infusions," says Gianluigi Frozzi, Angelini Pharmaceutical Division's chief executive officer. "The agreement is part of the Angelini effort in the field of treatment of infectious diseases. Now approved in the EU, our experienced sales force and extensive network will bring  Xydalba to over 30 countries."

The European Commission decision follows a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) on 18 December 2014 and is applicable to all 28 Member States and the three European Economic Area countries not Member States of the European Union.

 Xydalba is marketed in the United States as DALVANCE (dalbavancin) for injection. DALVANCE is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria, including MRSA.

 Xydalba is a second generation, semi-synthetic lipoglycopeptide, which consists of a lipophilic side-chain added to an enhanced glycopeptide backbone.  Xydalba is the first and only IV antibiotic approved for the treatment of ABSSSI with a two-dose regimen of 1000 mg followed one week later by 500 mg, each administered over 30 minutes.  Xydalba demonstrates bactericidal activity in vitro against a range of Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-resistant, also known as MRSA, strains) and Streptococcus pyogenes, as well as certain other streptococcal species.

There were more than 4.8 million hospital admissions of adults with ABSSSI from 2005 through 2011, which included patients with cellulitis, erysipelas, wound infection and major cutaneous abscess. In fact, hospital admissions for ABSSSI significantly increased by 17.3 per cent during this timeframe. The majority of all skin and soft tissue infections in hospitalised patients are caused by streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus, and approximately 59 per cent of these S. aureus infections in the US are estimated to be caused by MRSA. Early and effective treatment of ABSSSI is critical to optimise patient recovery and for certain patients may also help to avoid potentially lengthy and costly hospital stays.