UPDATE 1-Novartis superbug drug gets wider EU approval

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ZURICH, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Novartis (NOVN.VX) on Wednesday said its anti-superbug drug Cubicin had received European approval to extend use to treat two additional types of hospital infections.

Cubicin, developed and marketed in the United States by Cubist Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CBST.O), belongs to a new class of anti-infectives called lipopeptides, and treats complicated skin and skin structure infections often acquired in hospitals.

The two new indications approved were right-sided infective endocarditis due to Staphylococcus aureus, an infection of the heart valve, and Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, a bloodstream infection.

Cubicin belongs to Novartis' expansion into treatments for life-threatening infectious diseases such as the hospital "superbug" MRSA as general resistance to traditional antibiotics increases.

The antibiotic, also known by its chemical name daptomycin, first received European approval in January 2006, the company said in a statement.

Novartis has the exclusive rights to commercialise Cubicin across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, India, and certain countries in Central America, South America and the Middle East.

For a company statement, click on [nHugBMMHQa]

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