Oritavancin

Oritavancin (INN, also known as LY333328, Orbactiv) is a novel semisynthetic glycopeptide antibiotic for the treatment of serious Gram-positive bacterial infections. Its chemical structure as a lipoglycopeptide is similar to vancomycin. In August 2014, the United States FDA approved oritavancin for treatment of skin infections.

In vitro activity

Oritavancin shares certain properties with other members of the glycopeptide class of antibiotics, which includes vancomycin, the current standard of care for serious Gram-positive infections in the United States and Europe. Oritavancin possesses potent and rapid bactericidal activity in vitro against a broad spectrum of both resistant and susceptible Gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, enterococci, and streptococci. Oritavancin was more active than either metronidazole or vancomycin against strains of Clostridium difficile tested.

Oritavancin has potential use as a therapy for exposure to Bacillus anthracis, the Gram-positive bacterium that causes anthrax, having demonstrated efficacy in a mouse model both before and after exposure to the bacterium.