Conn. firm to receive incentives for antibiotics

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — A New Haven pharmaceutical firm will be the first company in the nation to become eligible for various incentives that encourage the development of antibiotics to fight superbugs.

Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal is scheduled to formally announce on Wednesday that Rib-X Pharmaceuticals will receive a special designation making it eligible for incentives to develop two new drugs that fight antibiotic resistant germs.

The incentives include an additional five years of market exclusivity and a priority review by the Federal Drug Administration.

Blumenthal proposed the legislation that provides incentives for developing antibiotics to fight superbugs. It was approved by Congress and signed into law last year by President Barack Obama.