The application, which was filed on schedule, includes clinical data from a previously announced phase III trial demonstrating superiority of anidulafungin versus fluconazole in invasive candidiasis/candidemia.
Anidulafungin is a product candidate made through chemical modification of a naturally occurring molecule. In vitro studies have demonstrated that anidulafungin combines both the potency and killing effects of the polyene class (e.g., amphotericin B) without the resistance problems found with the azole class (e.g., fluconazole).
Anidulafungin is a broad- spectrum agent, and has been demonstrated to be highly potent in vitro against the fungi responsible for several serious fungal infections. Preclinical studies have shown that five-minute exposure to anidulafungin in vitro kills more than 99% of candida, including fluconazole-resistant strains. Anidulafungin has not shown cross-resistance with azoles or amphotericin, and in the laboratory it has proven very difficult to develop resistance to anidulafungin.
Vicuron shareholders recently voted in favor a buyout by Pfizer worth $1.9 billion.