BOSTON, July 07, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:PRTK), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies based upon tetracycline chemistry, today announced that on June 30, 2017, the Company granted stock options and restricted stock units to two new employees of the Company. These awards were granted pursuant to the Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2017 Inducement Plan, which was approved by the Company's board of directors on June 15, 2017, under Rule 5635(c)(4) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules, for equity grants to employees entering into employment or returning to employment after a bona fide period of non-employment with the Company, as an inducement material to such individuals entering into employment with the Company.
The stock options are to acquire, in the aggregate, 18,000 shares of the Company's common stock at a per share exercise price of $24.10, the closing sales price on June 30, 2017, and shall vest over a four-year vesting period, under which 25% of the shares will vest after 12 months of employment, with the remaining shares vesting monthly thereafter over the remaining 36-month period, subject to the employee’s continuous service. The restricted stock units are to acquire, in the aggregate, 5,000 shares of the Company's common stock, and shall vest upon the conclusion of a 36-month vesting period, under which one hundred percent 100% of the restricted stock units will vest after 36 months of employment, subject to the employee’s continuous service. The stock options and restricted stock units are subject to the terms and conditions of the Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2017 Inducement Plan, and the terms and conditions of the stock option agreement and restricted stock unit award agreement covering each grant.
About Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies based upon its expertise in novel tetracycline chemistry. Paratek's lead product candidate, omadacycline, when approved, will be the first in a new class of tetracyclines known as aminomethylcyclines, with broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative and atypical bacteria. Omadacycline is a new, once-daily oral and intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotic being developed for use as empiric monotherapy for patients suffering from serious community-acquired bacterial infections, such as acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI), community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP), urinary tract infections (UTI), and other community-acquired bacterial infections, particularly when antibiotic resistance is of concern to prescribing physicians. Omadacycline has been granted Qualified Infectious Disease Product designation and Fast Track status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the target indications.
In June 2016, Paratek announced positive efficacy data in a Phase 3 registration study in ABSSSI demonstrating the efficacy and general safety and tolerability of intravenous (IV) to once-daily oral omadacycline compared to linezolid. In April 2017, Paratek announced positive efficacy data in a Phase 3 registration study in CABP demonstrating the efficacy and general safety and tolerability of IV to once-daily oral omadacycline compared to moxifloxacin. A Phase 3 registration study in ABSSSI comparing once-daily oral-only dosing of omadacycline to twice-daily oral-only dosing of linezolid was initiated in August 2016. This study completed enrollment in May 2017 and top-line data are expected in mid-July. The Company plans to submit its new drug application (NDA) in the U.S. as early as the first quarter of 2018 with a European Medicines Agency submission later in 2018.
In addition to its Phase 3 program for omadacycline, a Phase 1B study in uncomplicated UTI was initiated in May 2016 and positive top-line PK proof-of-principle data was reported in November 2016. The Company plans to begin enrolling patients in a proof-of-concept Phase 2 study of omadacycline in acute pyelonephritis, the most common subset of complicated urinary tract infections, as early as December 2017.
In October 2016, Paratek announced a research agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense to explore the utility of omadacycline against pathogenic agents causing infectious diseases of public health and biodefense importance including plague and anthrax.
In April 2017, Paratek Bermuda Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Zai Lab (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., entered into a License and Collaboration Agreement. Under the terms of the Agreement, the Company granted Zai an exclusive license to develop, manufacture, and commercialize omadacycline in the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, for all human therapeutic and preventative uses, other than biodefense.
Paratek's second Phase 3 product candidate, sarecycline, is a well-tolerated, once-daily oral, narrow spectrum tetracycline-derived antibiotic with potent anti-inflammatory properties for the potential treatment of acne and rosacea in the community setting. Allergan owns the U.S. rights for the development and commercialization of sarecycline. Paratek retains all ex-U.S. rights. Allergan and Paratek reported positive results from two identical Phase 3 registration studies of sarecycline for the treatment of moderate to severe acne vulgaris in March 2017. Allergan has publicly announced plans to submit an NDA in the U.S. in the second half of 2017.
For more information, visit www.paratekpharma.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements including statements related to our overall strategy, product candidates, clinical studies, prospects, potential and expected results, including statements about the timing of advancing omadacycline and otherwise preparing for clinical studies, the timing of enrollment in our clinical studies and our reporting of the results of such studies, the potential for omadacycline to serve as an empiric monotherapy treatment option for patients suffering from ABSSSI, CABP, UTI, and other bacterial infections when resistance is of concern, the prospect of omadacycline providing broad-spectrum activity, and our ability to obtain regulatory approval of omadacycline. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release are forward-looking statements, and are identified by words such as "advancing," "expect," "plans," and other words and terms of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. We may not actually achieve the plans, carry out the intentions or meet the expectations or projections disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Our actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those included in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties. These and other risk factors are discussed under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein.