AZ Spins Out Entasis To Tackle Resistant Infections

21 Jul 2015

• By Chris Morrison

AstraZeneca has, after a long gestation, given birth to the antibiotic developer Entasis Therapeutics: in early July the biotech debuted with $40 million in funding from AZ alone, and a portfolio of the drugmaker’s early-stage antibiotic candidates. It emerges as the debate about incentivizing antibiotics R&D intensifies amid growing concerns about antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

AstraZeneca PLC has, after a long gestation, given birth to the antibiotic developer Entasis Therapeutics. But because of apparent lack of interest from financial or strategic partners, the Big Pharma has yet to cut the cord: in early July the biotech debuted with $40 million in funding from AZ alone, and a portfolio of the drugmaker’s early-stage antibiotic candidates. [See Deal] For now, Entasis remains a wholly owned subsidiary of AstraZeneca. And it emerges as the debate about incentivizing antibiotics R&D intensifies amid growing concerns about antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

The biotech is led by CEO Manos Perros, PhD, former VP and head of AZ’s infection Innovative Medicines unit, who stresses the opportunity ahead of Entasis and others pursuing targeted, powerful anti-infectives in the

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