Durata Therapeutics

Durata Therapeutics, founded in 2009, was a pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing treatments for infectious diseases and acute illnesses. The company commenced operations in December 2009 after acquiring Vicuron Pharmaceuticals and its lead drug candidate, dalbavancin, from Pfizer. The leadership team included CEO Paul R. Edick, who brought extensive experience from his time at MedPointe Healthcare, G.D. Searle, and Pharmacia. His background in building organizations and launching products globally was pivotal for Durata. George F. Horner III, who previously served as CEO of Vicuron Pharmaceuticals, joined the board of directors, bringing valuable experience from his tenure at Vicuron and Abbott Laboratories.

The company's core business revolved around its principal product, Dalvance (dalbavancin), an intravenous antibiotic for treating acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI). These infections are often caused by gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The business model was centered on obtaining regulatory approval for Dalvance and then commercializing it for use in hospital and acute care settings. Revenue was to be generated from the sales of this prescription drug. Durata targeted physicians and healthcare providers as its primary clients, aiming to offer a therapeutic solution that could improve patient care.

Dalvance's key feature is its unique two-dose regimen, administered intravenously once a week for two weeks. This represented a significant benefit over standard treatments like vancomycin, which typically require daily or twice-daily infusions and often necessitate prolonged hospital stays. By potentially reducing the length of hospitalization or avoiding it altogether, Dalvance aimed to lower the overall cost of care for patients with ABSSSI. In May 2014, Durata achieved a major milestone when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Dalvance, making it the first drug designated as a Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) to receive such approval. This designation, part of the GAIN Act, provided for priority review and additional marketing exclusivity. The company went public in July 2012, pricing its IPO at $9.00 per share and raising $68 million. In a strategic move that culminated its journey, Durata Therapeutics was acquired by Actavis plc (now Allergan) in November 2014 for approximately $675 million.

Keywords: Durata Therapeutics, Dalvance, dalbavancin, acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections, ABSSSI, infectious disease treatment, intravenous antibiotic, pharmaceutical development, Paul R. Edick, Actavis acquisition, Vicuron Pharmaceuticals, gram-positive bacteria, MRSA treatment, hospital antibiotics, Qualified Infectious Disease Product, QIDP, GAIN Act, biopharmaceutical, clinical trials, FDA approval, anti-infective drugs, once-weekly antibiotic, skin infection therapy, pharmaceutical commercialization