Astellas agrees co-promotion deal for antibiotic Avelox

Astellas has acquired the rights to co-promote the antibiotic treatment Avelox in the UK market.

The company has agreed a deal with Bayer Schering Pharma, the drug’s manufacturer, to promote Avelox tablets to UK hospitals, as well as the recently-licensed intravenous application Avelox IV.

This drug is specified for use among patients with community-acquired pneumonia and complicated skin and skin structure infections, having been launched in March 2010.

Astellas states that its experience in the specialty area of anti-infectives places it ideally to promote these drugs in the UK.

Mike Crooks, Astellas’ sales and marketing director for specialist products, said: “This approach brings great benefits for Astellas and for Bayer and will help to ensure that Avelox IV is widely available in UK hospitals as an alternative antibiotic treatment.”

Last month, Astellas extended its licensing rights to the VelocImmune antibody technology platform from Regeneron in order to further its research into human monoclonal antibodies.