Dive Brief:
- Actavis is buying Durata Therapeutics, along with its antibiotic Dalvance (dalbavacin), in a deal worth at least $675 million.
- Dalvance is the first FDA-designated Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) and is approved for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections .
- The Durata acquisition is targeted towards strengthening Actavis' existing infectious disease portfolio, which includes Teflaro (ceftaroline) and another antibiotic in late-stage development.
Dive Insight:
Although Actavis did not succeed in its efforts to acquire Allergan, the acquisition of Durata looks to be a smart buy that will augment a growing infectious diseases (ID) portfolio. The approval and launch of Dalvance in the US was greeted enthusiastically, not only as the advent of the first QIDP, but as an important new treatment in the arsenal of medications aimed at acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs) caused by gram-positive bacteria, including MRSA.
There are unconfirmed reports that Actavis may be also be planning on buying Salix Pharmaceuticals.