Study Published Today in The Lancet Infectious Diseases shows that DIFICLIR[TM] Offers Potential Benefits Over Current Standard of Care for Clostridium difficile Infection

Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd: Study Published Today in The Lancet Infectious Diseases shows that DIFICLIR[TM] Offers Potential Benefits Over Current Standard of Care for Clostridium difficile Infection


STAINES, England, March 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), a potentially fatal disease, is one of the most common healthcare acquired infections in Europe"CDI is a significant and growing problem in hospitals and care homes. The high percentage of patients experiencing CDI recurrence remains one of the biggest barriers to improving the management of this severe and sometimes life-threatening condition", said Professor Oliver Cornely, Medical Director of the Clinical Trial Center of The University of Cologne, Germany and lead investigator of the study. "In this study, DIFICLIR significantly reduced disease recurrence compared to vancomycin, the current standard of care, showing real promise as an effective treatment alternative for patients with CDI.""There is a clear need for new treatment advances to reduce the impact of this distressing and widespread disease. The results of this study reinforce the strong data we have already seen for DIFICLIR and support its position as a new and exciting treatment option for CDI," said Ken Jones, President and CEO of Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd.*Please note: clinical cure was defined as the resolution of diarrhoea for the duration of treatment and no need for further CDI therapy two days after completion of study medication, as determined by the investigator.NOTES TO EDITORS:About Astellas Phar
ma EuropeAstellas Pharma Europe Ltd., located in the UK, is a European subsidiary of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. Astellas is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceuticals. The organisation is committed to becoming a global company by combining outstanding R&D and marketing capabilities and continuing to grow in the world pharmaceutical market. Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd. is responsible for 21 affiliate offices located across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, an R&D site and three manufacturing plants. The company employs approximately 4,200 staff across these regions. For more information about Astellas Pharma Europe, please visit http://www.astellas.eu .