Oscient Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company, has granted the commercialization rights to Factive (gemifloxacin mesylate) tablets in Canada to Abbott Canada, the Canadian affiliate of Abbott. In exchange for those rights, Abbott Canada has agreed to a transfer price on product purchases and to make certain payments to Oscient upon achievement of certain regulatory and sales milestones. Specific financial terms were not disclosed.

Factive is currently approved in Canada for the five-day treatment of acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB) and Abbott Canada will launch Factive for the treatment of AECB in the coming months.

"Through this agreement, we are continuing to execute our strategy of building Factive into a global brand through partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies," stated Steven M Rauscher, president and chief executive officer of Oscient Pharmaceuticals. "With 1,400 employees and a sales force experienced in building leading anti-infective brands, Abbott Canada is well-positioned to launch Factive in Canada."

Abbott Canada has access to the entire clinical trial dossier for Factive and will pursue regulatory approval for additional indications. Factive was approved by Health Canada for the treatment of AECB. Oscient will be responsible for providing product to Abbott Canada at a transfer price that includes product supply costs and compensation to Oscient.

Factive is approved in the US for the seven-day treatment of community-acquired pneumonia of mild to moderate severity (CAP) and the five-day treatment of AECB.