Achaogen, Inc., headquartered in South San Francisco, was a biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering and developing novel antibiotic therapies targeting multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. The company focused its research and development efforts on addressing critical gaps in the treatment of hospital-acquired infections, leveraging advanced medicinal chemistry and microbiology platforms to create differentiated compounds.
Achaogen’s lead product was plazomicin, marketed under the brand name Zemdri, a next-generation aminoglycoside antibiotic designed to treat complicated urinary tract infections and bloodstream infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. After completing Phase III clinical trials, plazomicin received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in June 2018, representing a significant advancement in the fight against resistant Gram-negative pathogens.
Despite the scientific and regulatory achievements, Achaogen encountered commercial challenges in launching plazomicin, and the company filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in April 2019. In June 2019, Cipla USA, a subsidiary of India-based Cipla Limited, acquired Achaogen’s assets and exclusive rights to plazomicin in the United States. Under this arrangement, Cipla continues to oversee the product’s commercialization and distribution.
Throughout its operation, Achaogen engaged with health authorities, clinicians, and hospital networks across North America to advance its antibiotic portfolio. The company’s leadership team included industry veterans with extensive experience in pharmaceutical development, regulatory strategy, and commercial operations, supported by a scientific staff specializing in antimicrobial drug discovery.
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