Johnson & Johnson is acquiring the Phase III injectable carbapenem antibiotic doripenem via the $245 mil. acquisition of Peninsula Pharmaceuticals.

Peninsula is conducting six Phase III trials in indications including urinary tract infections (including pyelonephritis), complicated intra-abdominal infections, and hospital acquired pneumonia (including ventilator-assisted pneumonia). Doripenem has a fast-track designation from FDA for the latter indication.

Alameda, Calif.-based Peninsula was founded in 2002. The company licensed North American rights to doripenem from the Japanese firm Shionogi in 2003.

J&J is paying $245 mil. in cash to acquire Peninsula; the start-up's other research project, the cephalosporin antibiotic PPI-0903, will be spun off into a new company named Cerexa, Inc.

J&J already has a cephalosporin candidate in Phase III: ceftobiprole (BAL5788), licensed from Basilea (¹ Also see "J&J, Basilea May Strike Deal On Phase III Antibiotic; FTC Pre-Approves" - Pink Sheet, 15 December, 2004.).

J&J expects the transaction to close in the second quarter.

- Michael McCaughan

J&amp;J Acquires Phase III Antibiotic Via Peninsula Purchase

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J&J Acquires Phase III Antibiotic Via Peninsula Purchase