Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the appointment of Mr. Eric Sirota as Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Sirota will be responsible for directing the company's corporate strategy with regard to DIFICID. Mr. Sirota has served as a consultant to the company since March 8, 2013, providing product marketing and business advice to Optimer's Board of Directors and Dr. McKinnell. In addition, from February 2010 until December 2010, Mr. Sirota served as President of Commercial Services of inVentiv Health, Inc. Prior to June 2009, Mr. Sirota served as an executive of Pfizer Inc., most recently as Vice President of Pfizer's US Marketing, Commercial Strategy and Innovation and Regional Sales, responsible for the neuroscience and pain franchises.

Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. For the quarter, the company reported total net revenues of $19.4 million compared to total net revenues of $14.4 million last year, an increase of $5.0 million. The increase was due to an increase in DIFICID net product sales and an increase in contract revenue. Loss from operations was $31,490,924 compared to $34,573,445 last year. Net loss attributable to the company was $31,331,699 or $0.65 per basic and diluted share compared to $10,920,454 or $0.23 per basic and diluted share last year. The net loss in the year-ago quarter was favorably impacted by a $23.8 million gain on the deconsolidation of OBI.

Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that they will report Q1, 2013 results at 5:00 PM, US Eastern Standard Time on May 09, 2013