Wyeth launches new antibiotic to fight drug-resistant infections

New Delhi, June 22 (UNI) Pharmaceutical and healthcare company Wyeth today launched Tygacil, a new broad spectrum intravenous antibiotic to fight drug-resistant bacteria.

First antibiotic in a new class called glycylcyclines, Tygacil is meant for use in complicated infections of the skin and soft tissue and complicated intra-abdominal infections, a company statement said.

Speaking at the launch here, Prof John T Sinnott, director of the division of infectious disease and international medicine, Florida, said, '' Drug-resistant organisms are a growing problem worldwide. Inadequate infection control and shortfall in hygiene and public health are driving resistance in developing countries. The unique structure of tigecycline not only provides expanded broad spectrum of in-vitro activity, it avoids the tetracycline-resistance mechanism.'' ''It is the most appropriate time to introduce a new class of antibacterial agent in India,'' said Dr Chand Wattal, honourary senior consultant and chairman of department of clinical microbiology in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

UNI