Basilea Pharmaceutica has partnered with Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Innoviva, for the commercialisation of Zevtera (ceftobiprole) antibiotic in the US.
Under the distribution and license agreement, Zevtera, a hospital antibiotic will be marketed for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics, a US-based biopharmaceutical company, has expertise in anti-infective medicines and an established hospital sales force.
On the other hand, Basilea Pharmaceutica is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical firm focused on delivering therapies for patients with severe bacterial and fungal infections.
Ceftobiprole, as Zevtera and Mabelio are approved and marketed in several European countries and beyond for treating adult patients with hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia (HABP), excluding ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (VABP), and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP).
Basilea has secured license and distribution agreements in over 80 countries.
In the US, ceftobiprole is approved for treating adult patients with Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections (SAB), including right-sided infective endocarditis, as well as acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI). It is also indicated for adult and paediatric patients with CABP.
Basilea Pharmaceutica CEO David Veitch said: “We are very pleased with our collaboration with Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics for the commercialisation of Zevtera in the US.
“The company is a highly committed, focused and capable partner that shares our vision and ambitions for Zevtera in the US.
“They also have recent experience of launching a hospital antibiotic in the US. We are looking forward to working with Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics towards a successful launch and bringing Zevtera to patients in need in the US.”
As per the terms of the agreement, the Swiss biopharmaceutical firm will receive a $4m in upfront payment and tiered royalties on net sales, ranging from the high teens to mid-20s percentage.
Basilea Pharmaceutica is also eligible for sales milestones up to $223m.
Additionally, Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics will purchase Zevtera from Basilea to meet its demand.
Innoviva CEO Pavel Raifeld said: “With this agreement, Zevtera will become an important asset in our company’s portfolio, allowing us to advance our strategy of providing differentiated therapies in infectious disease and critical care.
“There is a significant medical need for treatments targeting complicated Staphylococcus aureus infections, particularly Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.”
Last year, Basilea Pharmaceutica secured an exclusive license for the antibacterial bio-drug SAL200 (Tonabacase) from iNtRON Biotechnology.
