New Research to be Presented at IDWeek 2012

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Optimer Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: OPTR) today announced that new research findings for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and DIFICID® (fidaxomicin) tablets will be featured in presentations at IDWeek 2012 occurring October 17-21 in San Diego, CA.

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Oral Presentations

• 692 – "Risk Factors for Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI) Hospitalization among Hospitalized Patients with an Initial CDI Episode" – Friday, October 19 from 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time in SDCC 29 ABCD
• 693 – "Length of Stay and Hospital Costs in Patients with Hospital-Origin Clostridium difficile-Associated Diarrhea" – Friday, October 19 from 11:45 a.m. Pacific Time in SDCC 29 ABCD

Poster Presentations

• 316 – "Development and Validation of a Recurrent Clostridium difficile (CDI) Risk Prediction Model"  – Thursday, October 18 from 12:30 PM to 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time in : Room: SDCC Poster Hall F-H
• 824 – "Comparative Microbiology of Transcription Inhibitors Fidaxomicin and the Rifamycins in Clostridium difficile" – Friday, October 19 from 12:30 PM to 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time in : Room: SDCC Poster Hall F-H

About Clostridium difficile-associated Diarrhea (CDAD)

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a serious illness resulting from infection of the inner lining of the colon by C. difficile bacteria, which produce toxins that cause inflammation of the colon, severe diarrhea and, in the most serious cases, death.  Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea is the most common symptom of CDI.  In recent years, C. difficile has surpassed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as the leading cause of healthcare-acquired infections in community hospitals.  Patients typically develop CDAD from the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics that disrupt normal gastrointestinal (gut) flora, possibly allowing C. difficile bacteria to flourish.

About DIFICID® (fidaxomicin) Tablets

DIFICID is the first macrolide antibacterial drug indicated for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) to be approved in over 25 years in the U.S.  It is indicated for the treatment of CDAD in adults 18 years of age or older.  DIFICID is administered in 200 mg tablets given orally twice daily.

Important Safety Information for DIFICID

DIFICID is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to fidaxomicin or to any of the excipients in the formulation. DIFICID should not be used for systemic infections. Only use DIFICID for infection proven or strongly suspected to be caused by C. difficile. Prescribing DIFICID in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected C. difficile infection is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of drug resistant bacteria. The most common adverse reactions are nausea (11%), vomiting (7%), abdominal pain (6%), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (4%), anemia (2%) and neutropenia (2%).

Please visit www.DIFICID.com or call 855-DIFICID (343-4243) for full prescribing information for DIFICID.

About Optimer Pharmaceuticals

Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative hospital specialty products that have a positive impact on society.  Optimer developed DIFICID® (fidaxomicin) tablets, an FDA-approved macrolide antibacterial drug for the treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) in adults 18 years of age and older and is commercializing DIFICID in the US and Canada.  Optimer also received marketing authorization for fidaxomicin tablets in the European Union where its partner, Astellas Pharma Europe, is commercializing fidaxomicin under the trade name DIFICLIR™.  The Company is exploring marketing authorization in other parts of the world where C. difficile has emerged as a serious health problem, including Asia. Additional information can be found at http://www.optimerpharma.com.

Contacts:
Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
David Walsey, Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
858-964-3418

Canale Communications, Inc.
Jason I. Spark, Senior Vice President
619-849-6005

SOURCE Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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