Eli Lilly announces acquisition of TB drug candidates

Eli Lilly has announced its first acquisition of compounds for further development into drug candidates for tuberculosis (TB).

It has made these acquisitions via its Lilly TB Drug Discovery Initiative and has begun work on these compounds in order to fill its early-stage drug pipeline for this indidcation.

The firm purchased two compounds from UK-based firm Summit and the Microbial Chemistry Research Foundation situated in Tokyo.

Founded in June 2007, the Lilly TB Drug Discovery Initiative was established as a public-private partnership with the aim of filling an early-stage product pipeline.

Its members include Eli Lilly alongside the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Infectious Disease Research Institute.

Dr Gail Cassell, vice-president of scientific affairs and distinguished research scholar at the firm, said: “This initiative is founded on the belief that people from different corners of the pharmaceutical and healthcare world will put aside differences and come together when confronted with a global threat.”

He added this announcement confirms this belief, with the company encouraged by the response and the commitment of its colleagues.

In May 2008, Eli Lilly announced $1 million (500,000 pounds) investment for an online refresher course on TB.