Dalbavancin (Biosearch Italia/Versicor)

Biosearch Italia and Versicor are developing dalbavancin, a novel semisynthetic derivative of the natural glycopeptide A-40926 for the potential treatment of Gram-positive infections. In May 2001, the compound entered phase II trials in the US [409929], [409932]. As of Janaury 2002, phase II trials in skin infections and bacteremia were ongoing [436430]. Both dalbavancin and MDL-63246 are dimethylaminopropyl amide derivatives of A-40926; dalbavancin differs from MDL-63246 in its acylamino sugar, which consists of glucuronic acid in dalbavancin and glucosamine in MDL-63246 [216093], [298527]. The development of MDL-63246 has been discontinued [298527]. In January 1999, Versicor gained North American market rights to BI-397 [311500]. In January 2002, UBS Warburg predicted filing of an NDA in the second half of 2003 for dalbavancin, for treatment of complicated skin and soft tissue infections [439472]. In December 2001, Lehman Brothers predicted a late 2005 launch for dalbavancin, with sales of US $7.7 million in 2005, US $65.8 million in 2006, and peak sales of US $225 million in 2008 [439469].