Hikma gets rights to distribute Basilea's Zevtera in MENA markets

Fast-growing Jordan-based Hikma Pharmaceuticals (LSE: HIK) has entered into an exclusive licensing, supply and distribution agreement with Swiss drugmaker Basilea Pharmaceutica International (SIX: BSLN) for its new generation cephalosporin Zevtera(ceftobiprole medocaril).

Under the terms of the agreement, Hikma will have the exclusive rights to register, distribute and market Zevterain all its Middle East and North Africa (MENA) markets leveraging Hikma’s strong local presence, sales and marketing capabilities and regulatory expertise.  Zevtera has received approvals in 13 European countries and Canada for the treatment of adult patients with community- and hospital-acquired pneumonia (CAP, HAP), excluding ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), and has been launched in Germany, France, Italy and the UK.

Mazen Darwazah, vice chairman and chief executive of MENA and Emerging Markets, said: “Our partnership with Basilea will allow us to bring more innovative anti-infective products to the MENA, enhancing our growing portfolio of differentiated high value products and reinforcing our commitment to increasing patients’ access to high quality medicines.”