Replidyne Inc announced an agreement with GlaxoSmithKline. Under the agreement, Replidyne acquired worldwide rights to a novel antibacterial program and GSK received an equity position in Replidyne.

The program acquired from GSK includes multiple series of advanced leads and related intellectual property. These compounds utilize a novel mechanism-of-action to inhibit bacterial protein synthesis. The compounds generated by GSK have the potential to become important new therapeutics to treat bacterial infections including those caused by strains resistant to most existing antibiotics. The acquired compounds have shown excellent antibacterial activity in a number of in vitro and in vivo models.

Lisa Gray, Director, Venture Operations at GSK Ventures, stated that, "Our team at GSK Ventures has been impressed with the scientific knowledge and entrepreneurial focus at Replidyne. We believe the management team at Replidyne has the necessary expertise to successfully develop and leverage the value of this novel antibacterial asset."

Nebojsa Janjic, the Company's Vice President, Research & Development, added, "The science underlying the program acquired from GSK is absolutely first rate. We believe that this new program complements our existing efforts to develop inhibitors of bacterial DNA replication. Both programs involve novel mechanism-of-action compounds which are clearly needed in the ongoing battle against drug resistant bacteria."