Achaogen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel antibiotics to address serious multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in South San Francisco, California, the company has concentrated its efforts on advancing therapies in areas of high unmet medical need, particularly infections where treatment options are limited or ineffective due to antibiotic resistance.
The company’s lead product candidate, plazomicin (branded as Zemdri®), is a next-generation aminoglycoside antibiotic developed to treat complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI) and bloodstream infections caused by certain Enterobacteriaceae. Plazomicin underwent comprehensive clinical evaluation, including a pivotal Phase 3 trial, and received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in June 2018. In addition to plazomicin, Achaogen maintained a pipeline of preclinical and discovery-stage programs aimed at addressing other challenging Gram-negative pathogens, leveraging proprietary medicinal chemistry and structure-based design platforms.
Prior to and following the FDA approval of Zemdri®, Achaogen formed multiple collaborations and licensing arrangements to facilitate broader geographic access and support commercialization efforts. The company engaged with partners in Europe, Asia and Latin America to explore registration and distribution opportunities, while also working closely with hospitals, infectious disease specialists and public health organizations in the United States to raise awareness of emerging antibiotic resistance threats.
Led by an experienced management team and board of directors with deep roots in pharmaceutical development, Achaogen navigated both scientific achievement and commercial challenges. In April 2019, faced with constraints common in the antibiotic market, the company voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Shortly thereafter, in May 2019, its key assets, including the plazomicin portfolio, were acquired by Cipla USA, ensuring continued development and availability of the therapy under new stewardship.
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