Astellas announces “global collaboration”

Astellas has announced that it has received full global marketing rights for an investigational antibiotic, telavancin.

Telavancin is an investigational compound developed by Theravance, designed to target severe Gram-positive bacterial infections, such as those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

The drug, currently in phase III development, has been found to employ a “multifunctional” mechanism that could make it less likely that bacteria become resistant.

Astellas’ agreement with Theravance to include Japan in the marketing rights makes it a “truly global collaboration”, according to Masafumi Nogimori, Astellas’ chief executive officer and president.

Rick E Winningham, chief executive officer of Theravance added: “The insights of our combined teams should improve our ability to provide this potential medicine to patients with MRSA infections and make a difference in their lives.”

Astellas has paid Theravance $10 million upfront, with a $65 million licence fee and $131 million to be paid upon the completion of certain regulatory milestones. Additionally, Theravance will receive royalties from a percentage of sales ranging from the high teens to the upper twenties.

In related news, Astellas has said it has withdrawn its prospective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, FK962, from development.

The drug was undergoing phase II trials in the US and Canada, but after review of the interim analysis clinical data, Astellas concluded that it was unclear whether the treatment was effective in treating mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

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