The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of CEM-102 compared to Linezolid in the treatment of acute bacterial skin structure infections (ABSSIs).

ABSSIs are common and affect all age groups. In recent years, ABSSIs caused by multi-drug resistant pathogens, especially methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have become more common. There is an urgent need for additional antibacterial drugs with modes of action different from those currently available. CEM-102 is one such agent with excellent activity against S. aureus, including MRSA.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of acute bacterial skin-structure infection (ABSSI) of no more than 7 days duration which was suspected or proven to be caused, at least in part, by a gram-positive pathogen.
• Eligible infections included cellulitis measuring at least 10 cm length and width or 100 cm squared, with or without a focal abscess, and surgical or traumatic wound infections
• Infection which in the opinion of the investigator will require 10-14 days of antibacterial therapy.
• Have at least 3 of the following local and/or systemic symptoms and/or signs of infection: purulent or seropurulent drainage/discharge, erythema, fluctuance, heat/localized warmth, pain/tenderness to palpation, swelling/induration, regional lymph node swelling or tenderness, temperature >=100.4 degree F, increased white blood cell count, or bandemia.
• Must not have received treatment with another systemic antibiotic for the current ABSSI.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Superficial skin structure infections such as folliculitis, carbuncles, furunculosis, cutaneous abscesses, and simple cellulitis.
• Infections involving burns, human or animal bites, or chronic diabetic foot ulcers.
• Suspected polymicrobial infection involving Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Anticipated need for >14 days of antibiotic therapy.
• Infections complicated by the presence of prosthetic materials that will not be removed, such as permanent cardiac pacemaker battery packs, mesh, or joint replacement prosthesis.
• Known significant renal, hepatic, or hematologic impairment.
• Received prior potentially effective antimicrobial therapy for the acute bacterial skin and skin structure infection, unless they were failing therapy after 48 hours or had a gram-positive pathogen non-susceptible to prior therapy identified as a causative pathogen.