Pfizer Completes Acquisition of AstraZeneca’s Anti-Infectives Biz

Pfizer has completed its previously announced acquisition of AstraZeneca’s late-stage small molecule anti-infective business.

The agreement includes the commercialization and development rights primarily outside the US to the newly approved European Union drug Zavicefta (ceftazidime-avibactam), the marketed agents Merrem/Meronem (meropenem) and Zinforo (ceftaroline fosamil), and the clinical development assets aztreonam-avibactam (ATM-AVI) and CXL. Zavicefta specifically addresses certain multi-drug resistant gram-negative infections, including those resistant to carbapenem antibiotics.

Pfizer announced in August 2016 that it would acquire the small-molecule anti-infectives business from AstraZeneca in a deal valued up to $1.575 billion. Under the agreement, Pfizer makes an upfront payment of $550 million to AstraZeneca upon the close of the transaction and a deferred payment of $175 million in January 2019. In addition, AstraZeneca is eligible to receive up to $250 million in milestone payments, up to $600 million in sales-related payments, as well as tiered royalties on sales of Zavicefta and ATM-AVI in certain markets.

Zavicefta, a combination antibiotic, received European Commission approval in June 2016 for complicated urinary tract infections, complicated intra-abdominal infections, hospital-acquired pneumonia/ventilator associated pneumonia, and treatment of aerobic gram-negative infections in adult patients with limited treatment options. Pfizer holds the global rights to commercialize Zavicefta, with the exception of North America, where the rights are held by Allergan.

Zinforo, an intravenous cephalosporin antibiotic, was launched in October 2012 for use as a monotherapy in treating adults with complicated skin and soft tissue infections or community-acquired pneumonia. Zinforo has now been approved in 52 markets and launched in 32 markets. Pfizer holds the global rights to commercialize Zinforo, with the exception of North America and Japan, where the rights are held by Allergan and Takeda, respectively.

Merrem/Meronem is a broad spectrum carbapenem anti-bacterial used for treating serious infections in hospitalized patients, including pneumonia, community acquired pneumonia and nosocomial pneumonia; broncho-pulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis; complicated urinary tract infections; complicated intra-abdominal infections; intra- and post-partum infections; complicated skin and soft tissue infections; and acute bacterial meningitis in adults and children over 3 months of age. In the US, Merrem is indicated as single-agent therapy for intra-abdominal infections and bacterial meningitis. Pfizer holds the global rights to commercialize Merrem, with the exception of Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Hong Kong where the rights are held by Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma.

ATM-AV is a bactericidal, injectable combination of aztreonam and a β-lactamase inhibitor, avibactam, currently in Phase II development for treating gram-negative bacterial infections caused by multi-drug resistant strains, including infections caused by metallo-beta-lactamase -producing pathogens. Pfizer holds the global rights to commercialize ATM-AVI, with the exception of North America, where Allergan holds the rights.

CXL is an injectable bactericidal β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combination of ceftaroline fosamil (marketed as Zinforo in AstraZeneca markets), a cephalosporin with activity against multidrug-resistant gram-positive and common enteric gram-negative pathogens, and avibactam, a β-lactamase inhibitor. Pfizer holds the global rights to commercialize CXL, with the exception of North America, where the rights are held by Allergan.

Source: Pfizer 

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