Boston Pharma reaches deals with GSK and Novartis

Boston Pharmaceuticals yesterday signed deals with GSK and Novartis, licensing eight drug candidates in total.

Under its agreement with GSK, Boston Pharma has licensed five early development programmes from the company.

These include two phase 2-ready development candidates (for the treatment of irritable bowel system and acne), one phase 1-ready development candidate (to treat skin diseases vitiligo and psoriasis) and two undisclosed preclinical programmes.

Robert Armstrong, CEO of Boston Pharma, said: “The licensing of these development assets is an important validation of our development team and capabilities and an affirmation of our strategy to assemble a diverse pipeline of clinical candidates across a broad range of indications.”

Boston Pharma also agreed a licensing and equity agreement with Novartis yesterday, October 3, through which Boston Pharma will develop three anti-infective drug candidates that are part of the Novartis infectious diseases portfolio.

The three candidates have to potential to treat antibiotic resistant Gram-negative infections. Gram-negative bacteria cause infections including pneumonia, bloodstream infections, wound or surgical site infections, and meningitis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As part of the deal with Novartis, Boston Pharma has also acquired worldwide rights to two complementary candidates targeting carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (bacteria that is resistant to the carbapenem class of antibiotics) and one candidate targeting Pseudomonas, common bacteria found in soil and water.

Novartis will receive an equity stake in two new companies that will be formed, with Boston Pharma to develop and commercialise these programmes.

“The need for new antibiotics that address drug resistant bacteria is clear and we are pleased to find a partner in Boston Pharmaceuticals who will dedicate the appropriate expertise and resources for the further development and commercialisation of these programmes,” said Jay Bradner, president of the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, the innovation arm of Novartis.

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