Forest Laboratories gains additional rights to NXL 104

Forest Laboratories has revealed that it will acquire additional rights to NXL 104 from fellow pharmaceutical firm Novexel, with which it has an existing agreement regarding the drug.

The new contract covers the combination of NXL 104 with ceftaroline and adds additional rights to the combination of ceftazidime and NXL 104.

AstraZeneca will deal with the procedures on behalf of Novexel, which it has acquired.

NXL 104 inhibits the bacterial enzymes beta-lactamases, which break down beta-lactam antibiotics including cephalosporins and is intended for use alongside select antibiotics.

“This transaction broadens Forest’s antibiotic product portfolio, which will now include drugs principally active against both gram-positive pathogens and gram negative pathogens, to […] bring more useful antibacterial therapies to patients,” commented Howard Solomon, chairman and chief executive officer of the organisation.

In other company news, Forest Laboratories and Lupin last week reched an agreement regarding a dispute over Memantine tablets – a therapy they previously agreed to collaborate on.