OPTIMER INITIATES CLINICAL TRIALS OF OPT-99 FOR GASTROENTERITIS

Phase III clinical trials of Optimer's OPT-99 for bacterial gastroenteritis are scheduled to begin in May 2006, the company has announced. The company plans to develop OPT-99 for the treatment of bacterial gastroenteritis including traveler's diarrhea.

Optimer will conduct two independent, international Phase III trials. Investigators will begin to enroll patients in mid-May 2006 in the U.S., Mexico, and Peru; the second trial will soon follow in India and Africa.