Nabriva nabs market-ready antibiotic

Zavante Therapeutics brings its antibiotic Contepo (fosfomycin) into the deal, a potential first-in-class in the United States intravenous investigational antibiotic. The drug is in development to treat serious infections, including those caused by multi-drug resistant Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. It has shown particular promise in treating complicated urinary tract infections. Nabriva Therapeutics expects to file a New Drug Application with the FDA this year - for both fosfomycin and Nabriva’s own antimicrobial Lefamulin, a semi-synthetic pleuromutilin. 

Zavante Therapeutics’ former stockholders will receive an upfront consideration of approximately 8.2 million of Nabriva Therapeutics’ ordinary shares as well as up to US$97.5m upon the achievement of specified regulatory and commercial milestones.

Former Zavante CEO Ted Schroeder is taking over the CEO position at Nabriva, replacing Colin Broom. 

“With this acquisition, Nabriva strengthens its antibiotics leadership position with two late-stage antibiotics with novel mechanisms of action,” said  Schroeder. “Nabriva shares Zavante’s deep commitment to addressing the growing global problem of antibiotic resistance by providing novel treatment options to physicians and patients that combat serious and life-threatening infections.”