Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OPTR)

[surf1944]

8:03AM Optimer Pharma shows age has a significant effect on outcomes in patients being treated for clostridium difficile infection (OPTR) 11.86 : Results of the analysis showed that DIFICID and vancomycin were comparably effective in attaining clinical cure in all age groups studied; in those younger than 40 years of age, clinical cure was achieved in 97.2% of patients and in those older than 80, clinical cure was achieved in 87.5% to 88.2% of patients. For patients who achieved clinical cure, DIFICID-treated patients were half as likely to have had a recurrence compared to patients treated with vancomycin (OR=0.46, 95% CI [0.32, 0.67], p<0.001). The analysis showed the probability of sustained clinical response nearly doubled among DIFICID-treated patients compared to patients who received vancomycin (OR=1.86, 95% CI [1.40, 2.47], p<0.001). When researchers conducted an analysis adjusting for age and other factors that may impact treatment outcome, including the administration of concomitant antibiotics and C. difficile strain, DIFICID was associated with a 60% lower risk of recurrence (p<0.001) compared to vancomycin.