Advancis to conduct further Pulsys trial

The antibiotic will be tested in adults and adolescents with throat infections and tonsillitis brought about by strep infections. Enrollment in the clinical trial is expected begin in the fourth quarter of 2005. The company said it believes it has the cash and resources to fund the trial through completion and to fund its research operations into early 2007.

Following extensive analysis of data from the company’s recently concluded unsuccessful Pusys clinical trials, Advancis has decided to extend the length of treatment in the new phase III trial from seven to ten days.

“As a result of what we learned from our prior trials, we believe that our current once-a-day formulation dosed for 10 days has the potential to provide the efficacy required for product approval. In addition, we believe this therapy may yield eradication rates that are competitive with the most efficacious treatments for strep throat. This therapy would utilize Advancis’ proprietary Pulsys technology and preserve the product’s strongest marketing appeal of once-daily dosing,” said Dr Edward Rudnic, chairman, president and CEO of Advancis.

Advancis shares leapt 21.9% to $1.28 in premarket activity.