Bayer and Nektar sign pneumonia drug accord

Bayer HealthCare, part of Germany's Bayer group, and US biopharmaceutical firm Nektar Therapeutics have entered into a collaboration agreement, under which they will develop therapies for gram-negative pneumonias. The proposed drug will utilize Nektar's proprietary pulmonary technology to deliver a specially-formulated amikacin (NKTR-061), an aminoglycoside antibiotic, deep into the lungs of people suffering from the condition.

Under the terms of the deal, Nektar will receive an upfront payment of $50.0 million, as well as milestones of $175.0 million and up to 30% royalties on sales outside the USA, contingent on successful development and commercialization. In return, Bayer will take responsibility for the global R&D strategy, and has agreed to co-market the product in the USA.

NKTR-061 is currently being examined in Phase II trials as an adjunctive treatment for mechanically-ventilated patients suffering from hospital-acquired immunity, promising data from which were presented at the American Thoracic Society International conference in San Francisco earlier this year (Marketletter May 28).