US-based biopharmaceutical firm Cubist Pharmaceuticals has completed the acquisition of Trius Therapeutics, which is focused on the development of antibiotics, for about $704m.
The acquisition of Trius brings to Cubist a late-stage antibiotic candidate, tedizolid phosphate (TR-701) and many other pre-clinical antibiotic programs.
Tedizolid phosphate is an intra venous and orally administered second generation oxazolidinone being developed for the treatment of certain Gram-positive infections, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Cubist chief executive officer Michael Bonney said Trius' lead product candidate, tedizolid phosphate, has the potential to be an important new treatment in the fight against resistant infections.
"The need for new treatments to combat drug resistant bacteria is growing, and we will work diligently to bring this antibiotic product candidate to market in order to help hospitals and their patients combat these infections," Bonney said.
The acquisition is a part of the company's Building Blocks of Growth strategy to strengthen its presence in acute care environment.
Cubist is focused on the research, development, and commercialization of pharmaceutical products to meet the medical needs in the acute care environment.
