Trius Therapeutics Inc.
This article was originally published in Start Up
Executive Summary
Trius Therapeutics Inc. intends to create drugs that are capable of combating resistant bacteria and are meaningfully differentiated from currently marketed products. It says its lead candidate will be "a true second-generation" version of linezolid (Zyvox), as yet the sole marketed compound in the class of drugs known as oxazolidinones. Linezolid's proven ability to combat Gram-positive bacteria such as MRSA and Streptococcus has made it a blockbuster on track to generate $1 billion in revenues this year. If Trius can develop an antibiotic that is safer and more effective than Zyvox, and that also possesses additional attributes that improve on the original drug, that new compound could commandeer significant market share.