Medicines Co. acquires antibiotic play Rempex

The Medicines Co. (NASDAQ:MDCO) acquired Rempex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (San Diego, Calif.) for $140 million in cash up front, plus up to $334 million in milestones. Rempex is developing beta lactamase inhibitors and antibiotics for multi-drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. The company's Carbavance is an IV combination of RPX7009, a boron-containing beta lactamase inhibitor, and biapenem (RPX2003), a generic carbapenem antibiotic. Next year, the compound is slated to start Phase III testing for complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) and serious Gram-negative infections, with data expected in 2016.

The Medicines Co. already has one antibiotic in late-stage development. By year end, the company plans to submit an NDA to FDA for oritavancin -- a semi-synthetic lipoglycopeptide antibiotic -- to treat acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria (see BioCentury, Sept. 17, 2012). ...