AstraZeneca to spin-out early-stage antibiotic R&D into stand-alone company

Anglo-Swedish pharma major AstraZeneca is changing the structure of its small-molecule early-stage anti-infectives R&D in line with its strategy to sharpen its focus on three main therapy areas.

AstraZeneca will create a stand-alone subsidiary company, focused exclusively on the R&D of its early-stage antibiotic pipeline, including the novel gyrase inhibitor AZD0914, which is currently in Phase II for the treatment of gonorrhea. AstraZeneca will invest $40 million in the new company, which it anticipates will be led by and include staff from AstraZeneca’s Innovative Medicines Unit.

Antibiotics not a priority for the company

Pascal Soriot, AstraZeneca’s chief executive, has long made clear that antibiotics are not a priority for the company, while promising to look for ways to keep alive its research and development in the area.