Media Advisory - Infectious Diseases Specialist to Discuss Advancement in the Treatment of Clostridium difficile Infections (CDI) in Canada

Improving Control of One of Canada's Most Common Healthcare-acquired Infections

MONTREAL, July 5, 2012 /CNW/ -

WHAT:			Optimer Pharmaceuticals Canada, Inc., today announced the launch of DIFICID™, an important advancement in the treatment of CDI in Canada. Infectious diseases specialist Dr. Karl Weiss, MD, M.Sc., FRCP(C), who was one of the site-leads for both international clinical trials comparing the efficacy of fidaxomicin against vancomycin, the results of which were published in The New England Journal of Medicine and The Lancet Infectious Diseases, will be available to discuss the prevalence and impact of these infections in Canada. Gary Fabian, Executive Director of the Quebec Division of the Gastrointestinal Society will discuss the importance of new treatment options.
WHERE:			Hotel Universel, 5000 Rue Sherbrooke Est Montreal
WHEN:			Thursday July 5 2012, 2:00 PM EST
WHO:			Dr. Karl Weiss, MD, M.Sc., FRCP(C), Co-Chair of the Montreal Infection Control Board and Professor of Medicine at The University of Montréal
			Gary Fabian, Executive Director, Quebec Division, Gastrointestinal Society
ATTENTION:			On-camera and telephone interviews can be arranged during this time; please contact Lydia Juliano or Julie Deschambault to schedule an interview.

About CDI in Canada
CDI is one of the leading causes of hospital-acquired infections, and mortality has been reported to be as high as 17% during outbreaks in Canada. C. difficile is a virulent, toxin- and spore-producing pathogen.  Infection from this pathogen is a serious and life-threatening condition which can result in severe and debilitating diarrhea, removal of the colon and, in the most serious cases, death. CDI predominantly affects hospital inpatients, and has been associated with numerous outbreaks across the country.  The risk of CDI increases with age, an impaired immune system, co-morbid disease and previous exposure to antibiotics, which disrupt the patient's normal gut flora.

CDI represents a major challenge to the Canadian healthcare system. The detriment of this disease impacts the lives of the patients and the families of those who suffer from this virulent pathogen.  In Canada, the infection has been associated with a median increase in length of stay in the hospital of 6 days.  The spore form of pathogen is resistant to gastric acid, antibacterial soaps and alcohol based hand sanitizers, and can survive for months on surfaces.  While not as well characterized, CDI is thought to be an increasing burden in long-term care facilities and the community setting as well.

References Available on Request

Video with caption: "Video: Important advance in the treatment of Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) in Canada". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20120705_C6361_VIDEO_EN_15981.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20120705_C6361_PHOTO_EN_15981.jpg&clientName=Optimer%20Pharmaceuticals%20Canada%2C%20Inc%2E&caption=Video%3A%20Important%20advance%20in%20the%20treatment%20of%20Clostridium%20difficile%0D%0Ainfections%20%28CDI%29%20in%20Canada&title=OPTIMER%20PHARMACEUTICALS%20CANADA%2C%20INC%2E%20%2D%20Media%20Advisory%20%2D%20Infectious%20Diseases%20Specialist%20to%20Discuss%20Advancement%20in%20the%20Treatment%20of%20Clostridium%20difficile%20Infections%20%28CDI%29%20in%20Canada&headline=Media%20Advisory%20%2D%20Infectious%20Diseases%20Specialist%20to%20Discuss%20Advancement%20in%20the%20Treatment%20of%20Clostridium%20difficile%20Infections%20%28CDI%29%20in%20Canada

CONTACT:

Lydia Juliano
514-949-1446
[email protected]

Julie Deschambault
514-891-8645
[email protected]