Under the terms of the agreement, Achillion will pay to FOB a $500,000 upfront license payment, and FOB could also earn additional license and milestone payments of up to $10 million, based upon the achievement of certain development and regulatory goals. FOB will collaborate with Achillion on the further characterization and development of the compounds for at least 2009. Achillion will receive exclusive worldwide license rights and will pay FOB a royalty on net sales of future products arising from the collaboration.
The licensed carbapenem compounds show excellent activity against a broad spectrum of bacterial isolates, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
David Menaldino, vice president of research at FOB Synthesis, said: “We hope that through this agreement, Achillion and FOB Synthesis will successfully develop important antibiotics against drug resistant strains of bacteria and make a significant contribution to the area of infectious disease where great medical needs are still unmet.”