Novartis to market first-class antibiotic

MRSA

In a time of unprecedented mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures for the pharmaceutical industry, Swiss giant Novartis has now claimed the rights to market a potentially first-in-class antibiotic from Boston-based Paratek Pharmaceuticals.

The deal, reportedly agreed for an undisclosed sum, is set to boost Novartis' arsenal in this field - already bolstered by the company's acquisition of Protez Pharmaceuticals in June of last year.

The drug in question, PTK 0796, is an aminomethylcycline which studies have shown demonstrates broad activity against a wide range of bacteria, including both Gram-positive and -negative, atypical and anaerobic strains. According to Novartis, PTK 0796 has potential to be the first broad spectrum antibiotic given by once-daily infusion or oral tablet to treat infections caused by drug resistant bacteria such as MRSA.

Its an amazing discovery, brought into context by the realisation that there are currently around 150,000 deaths every year across the US and EU from hospital-contracted infections - meaning that, as the new drug can potentially benefit patents by offering a flexible and highly effective approach to the treatment of a number of critical infections.

As such, because it can be given as a 30-minute infusion or daily oral tablet, reports suggest PTK 0796 could offer patients useable way of continuing treatment after they have been discharged from hospital. What's more, its broad spectrum of activity means that it can be used as a single agent, unlike other antibiotics often needed to be used in combination.

Reports also suggest that Novartis will make an upfront payment to Paratek and the two companies will share responsibility for the compound's development. The drug is currently in Phase III trials to evaluate its use in complicated skin and skin structure infections.

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