Durata says skin infection drug meets late-stage trial goal

(Reuters) - Durata Therapeutics Inc said its experimental skin antibiotic met the goal of a late-stage trial, and it expects to seek marketing approval for the intravenous drug next year.

The company is testing two doses of the antibiotic dalbavancin as a treatment for acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections.

Acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) are caused by susceptible gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

The drug was tested against twice-daily doses of vancomycin, the standard first-line treatment for MRSA infections, for 14 days.

Preliminary data showed that the drug met the primary goal of stopping the spread of the skin lesion, as well as treating fever 48 to 72 hours after initiation of therapy, the company said.

The company said it expects to file with U.S. health regulators for marketing approval of the drug in the first half of 2013.

Durata shares closed at $8.95 Monday on the Nasdaq.

(Reporting by Shailesh Kuber in Bangalore; Editing by Roshni Menon)