Forest Laboratories and Nabriva agree partnership

Forest Laboratories has entered into a new agreement with Nabriva Therapeutics over the development of a new antibacterial agent.

Under the terms of the deal, Forest will provide funding of $25 million (20.04 million pounds) to support certain development activities related to the BC-3781 compound over the next 12 months.

BC-3781 belongs to the pleuromutilin class of antibiotics and has shown efficacy against a wide range of Gram-positive pathogens, including MRSA and penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, as well as certain Gram-negative strains.

During the year-long collaboration period, Forest will also have the exclusive right to acquire Nabriva, a decision which will be based on certain contingencies.

This would give Forest access to a biotechnology company with an established track record in high-end medicinal chemistry and clinical expertise.

Last month, the company attended the Digestive Disease Week conference in San Diego, where it presented new clinical data on the irritable bowel syndrome therapy linaclotide.