Key points:
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Anatara signs an exclusive evaluation and license option agreement
with the global animal health company, Zoetis Inc. to explore the
utility of Detach™ a non-antibiotic
anti-infective product, for use in food production animals
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Detach™ has the potential to play a part as an alternative to
traditional antibiotics to control infections in farm animals, as
public health officials worldwide seek strategies to combat
antimicrobial resistance
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Agreement grants Zoetis an exclusive option to license Detach™
for development and marketing worldwide with Anatara
retaining rights to Australia and New Zealand
Anatara Lifesciences (ASX:ANR) today announced that it has signed an
exclusive evaluation and license option agreement with the leading
global animal health company Zoetis Inc. for Detach™, Anatara's
non-antibiotic anti-infective product.
Under terms of the agreement, Zoetis will have exclusive rights to
evaluate the potential applications of Detach™ for veterinary use in
food production animals. Anatara has granted Zoetis an option to license
Detach™ for development and commercialisation in markets worldwide while
retaining rights to the Australian and New Zealand markets. The
Agreement follows the completion of preliminary due diligence by Zoetis.
The financial terms surrounding the Agreement are subject to
confidential disclosure; however the Agreement calls for Zoetis to
provide Anatara with an upfront and subsequent cash payments during the
Option Period. The companies have agreed on an aggressive research
program for investigation of the utility in multiple livestock species
during the option period. The Agreement will allow Anatara to further
strengthen its Balance Sheet.
Anatara Chairman Dr Mel Bridges said: "We have had significant
international partnering interest in Detach™, and have selected Zoetis
as our ideal partner to develop Detach™ for registration and launch
worldwide for use in livestock. The Anatara team look forward to working
with Zoetis in fast tracking the development of our lead product.”
The World Health Organization and other global health authorities have
adopted action plans to combat antimicrobial resistance. Responsible use
of antibiotics in people and animals is a cornerstone of these plans as
is investment in innovation to develop innovative alternatives to
antimicrobial medicines.
"Anatara's Detach™ technology has potential to play a part as an
alternative to traditional antibiotics to treat gastrointestinal
diseases in farm animals," said Dr. Scott A. Brown, Vice President,
External Innovation, at Zoetis. "We look forward to evaluating the
potential utility of this innovative technology as we seek to offer our
veterinary and livestock producer customers worldwide new solutions that
help protect animal health and bring value to their businesses."
Anatara's intellectual property provided to Zoetis shall remain the sole
property of Anatara.
About Anatara Lifesciences
Anatara Lifesciences is
developing therapeutics for gastrointestinal diseases in production
animals and humans. Its lead product Detach™ is a natural plant based
product that will help address global concerns around the overuse of
antibiotics in production animals that is contributing to the rise of
so-called "super bugs" that make infectious diseases harder to treat.
The Anatara team has a strong track record in biological science as well
as building and growing international biotech companies.
About Zoetis
Zoetis (zo-EH-tis) is the leading animal health
company, dedicated to supporting its customers and their businesses.
Building on more than 60 years of experience in animal health, Zoetis
discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines and
medicines, complemented by diagnostic products and genetic tests and
supported by a range of services. In 2014, the company generated annual
revenue of $4.8 billion. With approximately 10,000 employees worldwide
at the beginning of 2015, Zoetis serves veterinarians, livestock
producers and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals
with sales of its products in 120 countries. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com.
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