LETTER TO EDITOR More on MRSA

We enjoyed the update on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by Simon and Buka in the November issue of your journal [An Update of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. Skin & Aging. November 2007;15(11):38-41.], and would like to add two comments we feel are pertinent to this topic.

First, the two most disturbing aspects of MRSA are:

1. its resistance to many (and sometimes all) of the standard antibiotics

2. its production of molecules that puncture and injure the immune cells trying to contain the infection.

Regarding the second point, Michael Otto has shown that community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) has a considerable amount of phenol-soluble modulin, which destroys neutrophils by forming pores on these white blood cells, greatly contributing to the organism’s deadly potential.

Secondly, although many of the pharmaceutical giants are able to develop new antibiotics for these new strains of bacteria, costs are inhibitory. In 2000, Dimasi reported in the Journal of Health Economics that it cost more than $800 million to develop (and get accepted by the FDA) a novel drug with a new molecular structure in 2000; that figure has now been revised to adjust for inflation and is now up to $1.3 billion. One must also add the probable legal costs, given the penchant for lawyers to initiate lawsuits, especially when dealing with virulent organisms. As government pays more of the cost of pharmaceuticals including innovative new drugs, this issue of the development of new antibiotics is woven into many aspects of healthcare policy. In short, as with most national health issues, there is not a quick solution to CA-MRSA. 

Craig G. Burkhart, M.D., M.P.H.

Clinical Professor, University of Toledo College of Medicine

Sylvania, OH

Craig N. Burkhart, M.D., M.S.B.S.

Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University

Chicago, IL

IN BRIEF...

GALDERMA LABORATORIES, INC., IS ACQUIRING… CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals. The transaction, which will add CollaGenex products — including its oral rosacea therapy — to Galderma’s topical products, was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of Galderma and CollaGenex. The merger agreement provides for Galderma to acquire CollaGenex in a two-step transaction involving first a cash tender offer for all outstanding shares of CollaGenex common stock, followed by a merger. Upon completion of the merger, CollaGenex will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Galderma.

DERMPATH DIAGNOSTIC AND MEDINOTES CORPORATION ANNOUNCES… the launch of their strategic alliance created specifically to enhance diagnostic patient results through electronic connectivity within referring physician offices. This enables Dermpath to seamlessly integrate with physicians and clinicians using MediNotes e EMR by allowing diagnostic results to be electronically delivered into the patient’s virtual medical chart.  

LA ROCHE-POSAY ANNOUNCES… the promotions of two key U.S. executives. Yannick Raynaud is now Vice President/General Manager for La Roche-Posay USA, and  Gene Colón has been named Assistant Vice President of Medical and Media Relations.

LUMENIS LTD. ANNOUNCES… the departure of COO Zivi Nedivi, who is leaving to assume a CEO position in a different industry, but will remain long enough to ensure a smooth transition.

DERMTECH AND STIEFEL LABORATORIES, INC., PLAN… to partner on an acne gene study. The two companies will use DermTech’s patented EGIR technology and proprietary gene expression assays to identify and further understand the genes involved in causing acne in order to facilitate Stiefel’s development of targeted acne products.

LUMENIS LTD. ANNOUNCES… construction of a new state-of-the-art facility for its headquarters in Yokneam, Israel.The project is expected to take 2 years to complete, with occupancy estimated to be in January 2010.