Dong-A Pharmaceutical (President Won-Bae Kim) received USFDA approval to enter phase I clinical trial for
its DA-7218 antibiotic targeting superbacteria. Trius Therapeutics, an American antibiotics developer, has
licensed DA-7218 (known in America as TR-701) and made a down payment to Dong-A. Royalty payments are
expected to begin in the near future.




Trius submitted its IND (Investigational New Drug) application on November 28, 2007, and received approval
early in 2008 to launch the phase I clinical trial. 88 healthy male and female subjects will receive repeated
administrations of TR-701 beginning from January 7, 2008. The trial will conclude around June, 2008.




During animal testing, DA-7218 (TR-701) showed excellent antibacterial effects and greater safety than Zyvox,
the only other oxazolidinone-type antibiotic to be tested on animal models. The Dong-A drug also improves
convenience, being administered once daily, as compared to twice daily for Zyvox. Animal testing confirmed
the drug fastness, safety and pharmacokinetics of DA-7218 (TR-701), in addition to the efficacy of the once per
day administration regimen.




DA-7218, along with other oxazolidinones, functions by attacking the protein-synthesis machinery of bacteria.
Testing has shown that the drug has excellent effectiveness against VRE (Vancomycin-Resistant
Enterococcus), MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) and PRSP (Penicillin-Resistant
Streptococcus Pneumoniae). Its antibacterial effectiveness has been found to be four times greater than
currently available products, and it is applicable to a wider spectrum of bacteria with reduced side effects.
Additionally, the once-daily administration regimen will make DA-7218 more preferable to patients, who face
twice-daily injections with currently available products.




Trius Therapeutics plans to commence phase II clinical trial with actual patients by the end of the year,
following successful completion of the hase I clinical trial. Explaining the advantages of the strategic alliance
with Trius, a Dong-A official said, “Licensing approved drugs can be prohibitively expensive, as the patent
holder must recover all R&D and clinical trial costs. By licensing DA-7218 in the preclinical stage, Trius is able
to limit expenses, and the quality of Dong-A’s R&D work is recognized.”




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About Dong-A Pharmaceutical

Dong-A is Korea’s leading pharmaceutical company. Based on its corporate philosophy that the greatest value
is life, Dong-A strives to be a responsible corporate citizen that contributes to the health and welfare of
humankind. Over the past 42 years, Dong-A has maintained a reputation as a trustworthy producer of quality
pharmaceutical products, and has risen to become the number one drug company in Korea. It is expanding its
overseas presence on the strength of its new drug and biopharmaceutical products. Dong-A Socio Group
includes Dong-A Otsuka, a beverage company, and Yongma Logis, a 3PL specialized company, and other
subsidiaries.