ACTIVBIOTICS TO CONDUCT TRIAL IN PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE

ActivBiotics has announced plans to pursue clinical development of its lead product, rifalazil, as a novel medical treatment for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). PAD is a serious complication of atherosclerosis that affects over 11 million Americans and severely limits their ability to carry on normal physical activity. The 160-patient trial has been named PROVIDENCE-1.

Prior antibiotic studies in atherosclerosis focused largely on disease in the coronary arteries and studied the impact of therapy on clinical events, including myocardial infarctions, recurrent angina, hospitalization, stroke and death. ActivBiotics is taking a very different approach by focusing on symptomatic relief in patients with lower extremity PAD, directly related to blood flow, rather than life-threatening events. The clinical and quality of life impact of symptom improvement in these patients is well-documented.