In September of 2022, GSK and Spero Therapeutics entered into an exclusive license agreement for late-stage antibiotic asset, Tebipenem HBr.
Tebipenem HBr is an oral carbapenem antibiotic aimed at treating complicated urinary tract infections including pyelonephritis. GSK will receive an exclusive license to develop and commercialise Tebipenem pivoxil and tebipenem pivoxil HBr in all territories except certain Asian countries which will be retained by Spero partner, Meiji Seika. Spero is responsible for the execution and costs of the Phase 3 clinical trial of Tebipenem HBr while GSK is responsible for the execution and costs of additional development. Spero will receive an upfront payment of $66 million from GSK as well as additional commercial and sales milestone payments.
