AZ completes antibiotics spin-out

AstraZeneca plc (LSE:AZN; NYSE:AZN) completed its previously announced spin-out of its early stage antibiotics programs into stand-alone company Entasis Therapeutics Inc. (Waltham, Mass.). AZ was the sole investor in the biotech's $40 million series A round in March.

Entasis' lead candidate is ETX0914 ( AZD0914), a benzisoxazole DNA gyrase inhibitor against Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Phase II testing to treat uncomplicated gonorrhea. ETX0914 has Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) and Fast Track designations from FDA. Entasis' preclinical portfolio includes candidates targeting Gram-negative pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. ...