BASEL, Switzerland, May 2, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. (Swiss:BSLN.SW - News) announced today that it received fast track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its novel broad-spectrum antifungal. Fast track designation is intended to expedite the availability of treatments that address unmet medical needs for serious and life-threatening diseases. Invasive fungal infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with weakened immune systems. The overall rate of invasive fungal infections in these patients is approximately 25% and mortality ranges from 50 - 100%. The number of drugs available to treat severe infections caused by invasive fungi such as zygomyces is limited.
