Cubist acquires rights to ceftolozane from Astellas

Cubist Pharmaceuticals has acquired the remaining rights to ceftolozane for the treatment of  urinary tract infections, in certain Asia-Pacific and Middle East territories from Astellas Pharma Inc. Cubist will now own worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize the drug, which in combination with tazobactam is currently being studied in two third-round trials as a potential first-line intravenous therapy for treating complicated intra-abdominal infections and urinary tract infections.


Cubist previously obtained the rights, outside of the specific Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions, to develop and commercialize the drug through its acquisition of Calixa Therapeutics Inc. in December 2009.

Under terms of the agreement, Astellas will receive an upfront payment of $25 million, and sales of the drug made in the newly-obtained territories will be counted toward the existing commercial milestone and royalty terms of the original agreement, officials said. Cubist added it will fund the upfront payment with cash on hand.