Forest Laboratories and AstraZeneca have entered into a definitive collaboration agreement to co-develop and commercialize ceftaroline in all markets outside the U.S., Canada and Japan. Ceftaroline is Forest’s late-stage, next generation cephalosporin being investigated for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI) and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP). Ceftaroline demonstrates bactericidal activity against a broad range of pathogens commonly implicated in cSSSI and CABP, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and multi-drug resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (MDRSP).

AZ will pay Forest an undisclosed upfront fee, sales-related royalties and payments for reaching certain sales milestones. AZ will assume responsibility for the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of ceftaroline in the licensed territory. The parties will collaborate on future development activities. Financial terms were not disclosed.

David Brennan, chief executive officer of AZ, remarked, “AstraZeneca and Forest Laboratories, through a successful partnership, aim to battle the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. This collaboration complements our existing antibiotic Merrem, and our significant investment in antibiotic research, as well as agents in development such as CytoFab. We are excited to be partnering with Forest and to be part of ceftaroline’s future.”

Forest expects to file an NDA in the U.S. by the end of 2009, while AZ plans to file an MAA in Europe by the end of 2010.

Read AstraZeneca’s profile in this year’s Top Companies report!