Novartis licenses three novel anti-infective programs to Boston Pharmaceuticals

Clinical and pre-clinical stage programs focused on addressing growing need for new treatments against drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Agreement is part of Novartis strategy to partner with like-minded innovators to further develop new medicines to address global health challenges -   Research and development for new medicines to treat tropical diseases continues through the Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases Basel, Switzerland, October 3, 2018 - Novartis announced today that it has entered into a licensing and equity agreement with Boston Pharmaceuticals for the development of three novel anti-infective drug candidates that are part of the Novartis Infectious Diseases portfolio, which have the potential to address the need for new agents to treat antibiotic resistant Gram-negative infections. Antibiotic resistance is widely recognized as a major public health threat and innovative candidates to combat drug resistant bacteria remain a critical unmet need. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO) have identified CRE and drug resistant Pseudomonads as serious threats that pose significant risk to human health.  "The need for new antibiotics that address drug resistant bacteria is clear and we are pleased to find a partner in Boston Pharmaceuticals who will dedicate the appropriate expertise and resources for the further development and commercialization of these programs," said Jay Bradner, M.D. President of the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research.