The company says results of the trials show that topically applied REP8839 appears safe, well-tolerated and associated with low systemic exposure, or drug absorption into the bloodstream, which is desirable for a topical antibiotic treatment.
Based on these results, Replidyne plans to initiate phase II trials in children with impetigo, the most common bacterial skin infection, by the end of the year.
The trials involved 400 subjects, who received daily applications of REP8839 at three drug concentrations (1%, 2% and 4%), on intact and abraded skin.
“REP8839 is a promising development candidate and has the potential to be an important treatment option for physicians in the ongoing fight against drug-resistant infections including MRSA, a growing public health concern,” commented Kenneth Collins, Replidyne’s president and CEO.