Arixa Pharmaceuticals to be Acquired by Pfizer Hospital Business
Pfizer’s Hospital Business has agreed to acquire Arixa Pharmaceuticals, a firm working on next-generation oral antibiotics for drug-resistant Gram-negative infections, according to the announcement made by the firm.
For treating a number of indications caused by Gram-negative pathogens, ARX-1796, Arixa’s lead compound, an oral prodrug of avibactam, a beta-lactamase inhibitor (BLI), and that FDA had approved as an intravenous-only combination with ceftazidime in 2015 as part of Avycaz (marketed by Pfizer as Zaficefta outside the United States).
In order to address the challenge of producing a practical prodrug of avibactam with now-patented chemistry, the Co-Founder, and CSO of Arixa, Dr. Eric M Gordon headed a team of researchers in a clinical study. In Phase 1 clinical trial, the prodrug of avibactam when regulated orally to humans was absorbed with to 60-80%, with the release of avibactam molecule in the bloodstream, while ~ 7% of the intravenous compound is absorbed orally in contrast. For resistant urinary tract and other infections, ARX 1796 by Arixa, combined with an antibiotic like ceftibuten if it is approved, makes it possible for orally available avibactam to be involved in the next-generation oral antibiotics.
Arixa’s Co-Founder, and CEO
, John G. Freund MD MBA said, “Pfizer will move forward with ARX-1796, Arixa’s leading compound’s development program, with this deal. If approved, for taking ARX-1796 into succeeding clinical trials and in due course to patients in need, we believe Pfizer is the ideal company. We are proud to have developed a vital brand-new medicine prospect in an extremely capital-efficient manner.”Chief Scientific Officer Bacterial Vaccines and Hospital, and Vice President, Pfizer, Annaliesa Anderson said, “This could potentially allow patients to leave the hospital sooner or even altogether prevent the need for hospitalization and we are eager to see the prospective benefits ARX-1796 might offer to people and the healthcare system overall.”
An expert in beta-lactamase resistance, Karen Bush, Ph.D. said, “The only orally bioavailable inhibitor available to treat patients is clavulanic acid, FDA-approved in 1984, while combinations with beta-lactamase inhibitor also have come to be an essential of antimicrobial therapy.”
Chief of Infectious Diseases at Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Jose Vazquez, M.D., Professor, Department of Medicine said, “Due to the growing rates of multidrug resistance, common Gram-negative infections like complicated urinary tract infections are happening to be greatly difficult in treatments. We are forced to treat the patients who can’t be treated with oral antibiotics with intravenous agents and there is a considerably larger number of such patients. To patients with infections due to pathogens resistant to other oral agents, the alternative to provide an oral antibiotic including avibactam, as well as eliminating intravenous administration and a medical facility stay, is an essential advancement.”
The acquisition’s financial terms were not revealed. Four Oaks Allies encouraged Arixa about this deal.
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Arixa Pharmaceuticals to be Acquired by Pfizer Hospital Business
