Pfizer acquires AstraZeneca’s small molecule anti-infective business

Pharmaceutical company Pfizer has acquired AstraZeneca’s small molecule anti-infective business, it was  announced yesterday.

The buyout will see Pfizer make an upfront payment of $550 million to AstraZeneca, as well as a deferred payment of $175 million in January 2019.

The agreement includes the commercialisation and development rights to Zavicefta (ceftzidime-avibactam), a newly approved EU drug.

Zavicefta specifically addresses multi- drug resistant gram-negative infections.

John Young, group president at Pfizer, said: “The addition of AstraZeneca’s complementary small molecule anti-infectives portfolio will help expand patient access to these important medicines and enhance our global expertise and offerings in this increasingly important area of therapeutics, in addition to providing the opportunity for near-term revenue growth.”

Luke Miels, executive vice president for Europe at AstraZeneca, added: “We’re pleased that our strong science in antibiotics will continue to serve a critical public health need through Pfizer’s dedicated focus on infectious diseases, ensuring these important medicines reach greater numbers of patients around the world.”