Entasis Therapeutics is being acquired by Innoviva in a deal that brings an FDA-ready antibiotic developed to address drug-resistant strains of a bacterium that infects critically ill, immunocompromised patients. Innoviva has been steadily building up its stake in Entasis, an AstraZeneca spinout, over the past two years.
Entasis Therapeutics, the former anti-infectives unit of AstraZeneca, has positive Phase 3 data for its lead program, an antibiotic that could address drug-resistant strains of Acinetobacter baumannii that contribute to hospital-acquired infections. The biotech plans to seek FDA approval in 2022.