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AstraZeneca Sells Small-Molecule Antibiotics To Pfizer But Still Investing In R&D

 
• By Sten Stovall and Jessica Merrill

AstraZeneca is selling its late-stage small molecule antibiotics business to Pfizer in a deal that could reach more than $1.5bn, but the company – one of just a few big pharmas working in antibiotics R&D – says it will continue to study novel antibiotics via its MedImmune biologics division.

Antibiotics

AstraZeneca PLC – one of a few remaining big pharmas investing in antibiotics R&D – is giving up its late-stage small molecule antibiotics portfolio to Pfizer Inc. The two drug makers announced a deal Aug. 24, whereby AstraZeneca will sell commercialization and development rights to its commercial and late-stage small molecule antibiotics business in most markets outside the US to Pfizer in exchange for $550m upfront plus a delayed $175m payment in 2019 and regulatory and sales milestones.

Pfizer plans to include the programs in its Essential Health portfolio, the area of its business that includes generic drugs and mature brands, rather than Innovative Health, a signal perhaps to

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