Optimer's C. diff drug lures regional Astellas partnership.(Tuesday, Feb. 8)(Optimer Pharmaceuticals Inc.)(Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd.)(Brief article)

Worries that generic vancomycin could cut into the market potential for Optimer Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) drug fidaxomicin have been eased somewhat, with Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd. jumping on board in a potential $224 million regional deal. Under the terms, San Diego-based Optimer will bank about $68 million up front, a much-needed cash infusion given that the late-stage firm had only about $59 million on its balance sheet as of Sept. 30. In exchange, Astellas gains rights to the next-generation macrolide antibiotic in Europe, where Optimer already has a marketing authorization application pending, and for certain areas in the Middle East and Africa …