Entasis Therapeutics, a newly formed subsidiary of AstraZeneca, has launched as a new company with a focus on small-molecule, early-stage anti-infectives research and development. In February 2015, AstraZeneca had announced that it was creating a separate, stand-alone company for its small-molecule, early-stage anti-infectives research and development, which included the gyrase inhibitor, AZD0914, which is currently in Phase II for the treatment of gonorrhoea. AstraZeneca has invested $40 million in the new company.

Entasis has 21 employees, and its senior management teams consists of former AstraZeneca executives and newly appointed member. Manos Perros, PhD, is president and chief executive efficer, who previously served as head of infection and site dead, Boston R&D at AstraZeneca. John Mueller, PhD is vice president, program management and early development, who previously served as senior project director, infection innovative medicines and early development at AstraZeneca, and Ruben Tommasi, PhD, chief scientific officer, previously served as executive director, infection chemistry at AstraZeneca.

Entasis has appointed Michael E. Fitzgerald as chief financial officer (CFO) and Chris White as chief business officer. Michael Fitzgerald joins Entasis from Link Medicine, where he served as senior vice president and CFO and was responsible for finance and administration, operations, tax matters, and investor relations. Chris White joins Entasis as chief business officer from AMAG Pharmaceuticals, where he served as chief business officer and was responsible for establishing several partnerships, including a licensing, development and commercialization agreement with Takeda Pharmaceuticals valued at up to $280 million. Prior to joining AMAG, Chris was a partner in several consulting firms, including A.T. Kearney and Accenture.

Entasis does not include AstraZeneca’s late-stage small molecule infection programs or MedImmune's portfolio of biologic anti-infectives. The new structure also has no impact on the on-market products including Merrem, Zinforo, Fluenz/Flumist, and Synagis. AstraZeneca said it continues to progress its late-stage small molecule infection programs.

Entasis' pipeline consists of clinical and preclinical programs, including ETX0914 (formerly called AZD0914), which is an oral antibiotic currently in Phase II for the treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea. ETX0914 has been designated a Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) by the US Food and Drug Administration and awarded fast-track status. Other preclinical programs target serious Gram-negative infections often associated with acute-care settings, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae.

Source: Entasis Therapeutics