Cubist to promote AstraZeneca's Merrem in USA

USA-based Cubist Pharmaceuticals has signed an exclusive agreement with Anglo-Swedish drug major AstraZeneca (to promote and provide other support in the USA for Merrem IV (meropenem for injection), an established broad spectrum (carbapenem class) intravenous antibiotic. Cubist will promote and support the product using its existing US acute-care sales and medical affairs organizations, while AstraZeneca will continue to provide marketing and commercial support. The accord, effective July 1, establishes a baseline of $20.0 million annual revenue to Cubist that will be adjusted based on actual Merrem IV sales. Other terms of the deal, including performance incentives, are confidential, thefirms say.

Cubist's chief operating officer, Robert Perez said: "as a broad spectrum antibiotic, Merrem IV is an excellent fit with our Gram-positive therapy, Cubicin, which has experienced the most successful IV antibiotic launch in US history in dollar terms. The agreement with AstraZeneca immediately leverages the Cubist sales and medical affairs teams that have contributed to making Cubicin so successful in the USA."

According to Marion McCourt, vice president, GI & Infection at AstraZeneca, the deal will allow the firm "to maximize the value of Merrem IV while continuing to bring this important product to health care providers and patients. The Cubist sales force is well recognized by infectious disease specialists and is highly respected by its customers."