Shares of Targanta Therapeutics Corp. plunged Thursday, a day after a panel of government experts voted against the benefits of the company's antibiotic.

Federal health advisers on Wednesday backed the benefits of an experimental antibiotic but rebuffed another, questioning whether it would be able to fight dangerous staph infections that are becoming increasingly common.

Federal health advisers said an antibiotic developed by Theravance appears safe and effective for fighting "superbug" bacteria, despite potential risks for pregnant women.

Federal health advisers on Wednesday said an antibiotic developed by Theravance appears safe and effective for fighting "superbug" bacteria, despite potential risks for pregnant women.

Federal health advisers on Wednesday will debate the merits of two experimental antibiotics designed to fight "superbug" bacteria that have grown immune to older drugs.

Shares of drugmaker Theravance surged Monday on the release of a federal review of the company's experimental antibiotic, despite concerns about the product's risks to pregnant women.