New Haven’s Melinta Therapeutics, which just completed a merger with North Carolina’s Cempra, Inc. and went public last week, on Monday announced the start of a Phase 2 clinical trial to study the use of its antibiotic radezolid to treat acne.
The study will enroll roughly 48 patients with moderate-to-severe facial acne, who will take the drug or a placebo twice a day for 12 weeks, the company said. It expects enrollment to be completed by the middle of next year.
“Radezolid for acne vulgaris has progressed extremely well through preclinical and clinical development to date,” Melinta Chief Medical Officer Sue Cammarata said in a statement. “With resistance to currently available topical antibiotics rising, we believe that radezolid could be an important treatment option for physicians and patients.”
The study is being conducted by an undisclosed partner, the company said in an email. Melinta entered into a licensing agreement with the partner in January 2015 to develop and commercialize topical formulations of radezolid.
Melinta is best known for developing Baxdela, an antibiotic to treat MRSA and other serious skin infections, which is expected to go to market early next year.
Natalie Missakian can be reached at news@newhavenbiz.com
