Swiss Basilea partners up with Innoviva to sell anti MRSA antibiotic Zevtera in the US

Basilea Pharmaceutica, a Swiss bacterial and fungal infections biopharmaceutical specialist, has entered into an exclusive distribution and license agreement with Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Innoviva, for the commercialization of Basilea’s hospital anti-MRSA antibiotic Zevtera (ceftobiprole) in the United States (US).

Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics is a US-based biopharmaceutical company with an established hospital sales force and a core competence in commercializing anti-infective medicines.

David Veitch, Chief Executive Officer of Basilea, said: “We are very pleased with our collaboration with Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics for the commercialization of Zevtera in the US. The company is a highly committed, focused and capable partner that shares our vision and ambitions for Zevtera in the US. They also have recent experience of launching a hospital antibiotic in the US. We are looking forward to working with Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics towards a successful launch and bringing Zevtera to patients in need in the US.”

Pavel Raifeld, Chief Executive Officer, Innoviva, said: “With this agreement, Zevtera will become an important asset in our company’s portfolio, allowing us to advance our strategy of providing differentiated therapies in infectious disease and critical care. There is a significant medical need for treatments targeting complicated Staphylococcus aureus infections, particularly Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. We are therefore excited to bring this important new medicine to patients who are suffering from these severe infections.”

Basilea said in the press release that, under the terms of the agreement, it will receive a USD 4 million upfront payment and tiered royalties on net sales in the high-teens to mid-twenties percentage range. Basilea will be eligible to receive sales milestones of up to USD 223 million. In addition, Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics will purchase its demand of Zevtera drug product from Basilea.