Rib-X working on cure for super bugs

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- At "Rib-X Pharmaceuticals" in New Haven, nearly forty researchers are working on some of the most perplexing problems of modern medicine. They're working on a cure for those highly anti-biotic resistant super bugs, like MRSA.

Antibiotic resistant super bugs have been increasing over the last decade.

Antibiotic resistant MRSA infections are responsible for over 17-thousand deaths a year, and hospitalizations have doubled in just five years. Antibiotic respiratory infections are also on the rise.

Two new drugs in trials, show great promise for both skin and lung infections.

"We've done two trials for each, so we know very well that it will cover bronchitis as well as sinusitis and lung infections and we know that it will cover what's called acute bacterial skin infections," Erin Duffy, of Rib-X Pharmaceuticals, said.

Much of the work being done at Rib-X stems from original research done at Yale.

"Rib-X is almost the perfect example of a use of university basic research, taking that basic research and turning it into a product for patients," Paul Pescatello, of CT United for Research Excellence, said.

Under a new federal law, the 'Rib-X' drugs are going to move into general public use within the next four years, a lot faster than usual.

"This company is the first to be designated under this bill to receive 'fast track' approval so their new drugs can help save lives more quickly. We removed the 'road blocks' that government all too often has put in their way," Sen. Richard Blumenthal, said.

The drugs will get priority review by the F-D-A and the company gets ten years of data exclusivity instead of the usual five, allowing it to earn back and make a profit on the estimated billion dollars that's been invested in this research.