Theravance Biopharma, Inc. announced the commercial launch of VIBATIV (telavancin) in Canada. VIBATIV is a bactericidal, once-daily antibiotic with in vitro potency and a dual mechanism of action against Gram-positive bacteria, including difficult-to-treat pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The drug is approved in Canada for the treatment of adult patients with hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (VAP) known or suspected to be caused by susceptible isolates of Staphylococcus aureus including methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and MRSA.

VIBATIV is also approved in Canada for the treatment of adult patients with complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI) caused by susceptible strains of Gram-positive microorganisms. VIBATIV is being marketed and sold in Canada by PENDOPHARM, a division of Pharmascience Inc. Under terms of their development and commercialization agreement, Theravance Biopharma will supply commercial product to PENDOPHARM for sale in the Canadian market. In addition, the company will receive potential future contingent payments and a royalty on net sales of VIBATIV in Canada from PENDOPHARM.