TAIPEI, Taiwan, June 18 /Xinhua-PRNeswire/ -- TaiGen Biotechnology Co. Ltd. announced today that it has initiated dosing in a Phase 1B trial for TG-873870, a novel quinolone antibiotic with the potential for treating drug-sensitive and drug-resistant bacterial infections. The multiple-dose tolerance and safety study is being conducted at a leading clinical research center in the United States.


TAIPEI, Taiwan, June 18 /Xinhua-PRNeswire/ -- TaiGen Biotechnology Co. Ltd. announced today that it has initiated dosing in a Phase 1B trial for TG-873870, a novel quinolone antibiotic with the potential for treating drug-sensitive and drug-resistant bacterial infections. The multiple-dose tolerance and safety study is being conducted at a leading clinical research center in the United States.

In October 2004, Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals completed the phase1A single-dose escalating studies. TaiGen Biotechnology licensed the product for worldwide clinical development. Based on favorable safety and pharmacokinetic profiles, the double-blinded, multiple-dose escalating Phase 1B trial in healthy volunteers will guide the selection of the dosage in Phase 2 trials planned for the first half of 2006.

Dr. Ming-Chu Hsu, President and CEO of TaiGen Biotechnology, has given the following statement: "Based on the activity profile of TG-873870, we believe that this antibiotic, which has a unique quinolone structure, could potentially be effective in treating multi-drug resistant infections, including infections of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The product is particularly important for Asian countries where the incidence of drug resistant infections is significantly higher than in the rest of the world. Through an alliance with P&G for worldwide development, TaiGen has established a business model for emerging Asian biotechnology companies, with the goal of gaining access to the worldwide market while retaining commercial participation in the region."

About TG-873870

TG-873870 is a bacterial topoisomerase inhibitor. Compared with currently marketed quinolones, TG-873870 represents a novel structural series. Antibacterial activity and resistance development in the pre-clinical studies suggest a unique clinical potential for treating drug-resistant infections. These properties may distinguish TG-873870 from other members of the quinolone class.

About TaiGen Biotechnology

TaiGen Biotechnology is a privately held pharmaceutical company based in Taiwan. The company is developing into an integrated pharmaceutical company and is currently developing a number of innovative new products, both internally and by in-licensing, including drugs to treat immune disorders, cancer and infectious diseases. After three years of operation, in addition to the clinical development of TG-873870, the company has drug candidates in pre-clinical development for tissue ischemia, transplant rejection, rheumatoid arthritis, solid tumors and SARS, and is actively pursuing late-stage development compounds. TaiGen currently has offices in Taiwan, China and the US for R&D, business development, clinical development and marketing operations. Please visit http://www.taigenbiotech.com/ for the latest news and in-depth information about TaiGen Biotechnology.

Web site: http://www.taigenbiotech.com/