Daiichi and Pfizer in licence agreement for potential new anti-infective
Pfizer has entered into a licence agreement with Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co., of Japan, for a potential new anti-infective agent that has been shown in preclinical testing to be active against a number of drug-resistant strains of bacteria.
Pfizer has entered into a licence agreement with Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co., of Japan, for a potential new anti-infective agent that has been shown in preclinical testing to be active against a number of drug-resistant strains of bacteria.
The compound, known as DK-507k, is a novel extended-spectrum quinolone in development for both oral and intravenous administration to treat respiratory tract and other infections.
In preclinical studies, DK-507k was shown to have superior activity against penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae compared with currently marketed anti-infectives in the quinolone class. DK- 507k may also provide better protection against gram-negative bacteria than the current market-leading quinolone. Phase I clinical trials are being conducted by Daiichi in Europe.
Under terms of the agreement, which is subject to approval of the US Federal Trade Commission, Pfizer will obtain an exclusive license to DK-507k, fund and conduct ongoing development, and market the product in all major world markets except in Japan, China and other Asian countries. Daiichi has the right to elect to detail the product in the US together with Pfizer.
'Antibiotic resistance is a growing public health problem, resulting in increasing morbidity and mortality around the world,' said Hank McKinnell, chairman and ceo of Pfizer. 'It is critical that we continue to find new anti-infectives that work against drug-resistant bacteria.'