FOB Synthesis, a chemistry-driven drug discovery and custom synthesis company, has entered into an R&D option and license agreement with AstraZeneca for the development of a novel antibiotic to treat drug-resistant bacterial infections. The treatment will potentially combine compounds from AstraZeneca's preclinical beta lactamase inhibitor (BLI) and FOB Synthesis' preclinical Carbapenem antibiotic programs to help break down bacteria's resistance to carbapenems.

Carbapenem antibiotics have been developed and used widely for bacterial infections. However, the drug resistance bacteria have reduced the value of antibacterial chemotherapy recently. In addition, the carbapenem-resistant (CR) of gram-negative bacteria such as Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, E.coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa have accordingly increased all over the world. Investigational carbapenem antibiotics developed by FOB Synthesis, FSI-1671 and FSI-1686, will be examined for the treatment of MDR Gram-negative bacterial infection. Combining a carbapenem with a BLI may allow a novel treatment of the multi-drug resistant bacteria.

AstraZeneca will develop investigational combinations of compounds through phase I during the option phase. AstraZeneca will be solely responsible for the development and commercialization of the candidate combination compound through the option phase and thereafter if the option is exercised by AstraZeneca. Financial details were not disclosed.