Meitheal Secures North American Rights To CONTEPO From Nabriva

Meitheal Pharmaceuticals has enhanced its biopharmaceutical offerings by acquiring the North American rights to CONTEPO (fosfomycin for injection) from Nabriva Therapeutics. This acquisition includes development and regulatory responsibilities, intellectual property, technology, and associated expertise. Nabriva Therapeutics will receive an upfront payment upon the completion of this deal, along with royalties from US net sales of CONTEPO. CONTEPO is an intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotic that has demonstrated efficacy against multi-drug-resistant bacteria responsible for complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI). Fosfomycin for intravenous use is already available outside the US, approved for nine indications, including cUTI and other severe bacterial infections.

CONTEPO has introduced a new dosing strategy to enhance the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of its compound. In the ZEUS trial, which included patients with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), this approach successfully achieved the primary endpoint. Consequently, Nabriva has submitted a new drug application to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval of the injection to treat cUTI, including acute pyelonephritis. The FDA is expected to make a decision in the latter half of 2024. In preparation for the commercial launch, Meitheal is assembling a comprehensive marketing and sales team, along with a medical science liaison team to assist healthcare professionals. Nanjing King-Friend Biochemical Pharmaceutical, Meitheal's parent company, has invested over $300 million in capital and R&D to ensure a sustainable product supply, particularly in the area of branded biopharmaceuticals.

Meitheal Pharmaceuticals CEO Tom Shea said,  “The strategic addition of CONTEPO to our robust product portfolio provides us with a novel therapeutic with the potential to address a significant unmet need around increasing antibiotic resistance. As a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company, Meitheal is uniquely positioned to advance CONTEPO through the final stages of the regulatory process and, if approved, deliver a consistent supply of this high-quality antibiotic to patients and providers in need of an innovative option for drug-resistant urinary tract infections.”