The Medicines Co. Carbavance TANGO 1 Study Enrolled

The Medicines Company (NASDAQ:MDCO) announced that it has completed patient enrollment ahead of schedule in the phase III TANGO 1 study on one of its pipeline candidates, Carbavance (meropenem-vaborbactam), for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI).

TANGO 1 is evaluating the efficacy, safety and tolerability of Carbavance in patients with cUTIs or acute pyelonephritis compared to Zosyn (piperacillin/tazobactam). Top-line data from the study is expected in the second half of 2016.

The study was initiated under a cost-share agreement with the Biomedical Advanced research and development Authority to facilitate the development of Carbavance.

We note that the TANGO phase III program comprises two studies –TANGO I and TANGO 2. TANGO 2 is comparing Carbavance’s safety, tolerability, and efficacy with best available therapy in patients with serious infections due to confirmed or suspected carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae.

Carbavance enjoys Fast Track status in the U.S. for the treatment of cUTI. This designation should expedite the development and review process of the candidate.

With Angiomax losing exclusivity, The Medicines Co. has been divesting non-core assets and focusing on the development of its pipeline. Apart from Carbavance, the company has three interesting pipeline candidates. These include ALN-PCSsc (phase II – treatment of hypercholesterolemia), MDCO-216 (phase I/II - reverse cholesterol transport agent to reduce atherosclerotic plaque burden development and thereby reduce the risk of adverse thrombotic events) and ABP-700 (phase I – sedative-hypnotic used to induce and maintain sedation for procedural care and general anesthesia for surgical care).

The Medicines Co. is a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) stock. Some better-ranked stocks in the health care sector are ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANIP) , Retrophin, Inc. (NASDAQ:RTRX) and Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACOR) . While ANI Pharmaceuticals and Retrophin sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Acorda carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

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