Paratek

About Paratek

Paratek Pharmaceuticals is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing therapies for life-threatening diseases and other public health threats, with a particular emphasis on combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The company was established in 1996 based on the premise that antibiotic resistance was a growing problem exacerbated by declining investment from large pharmaceutical firms. Its founders include Dr. Walter Gilbert, who received the 1980 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his DNA sequencing method, and Dr. Stuart B. Levy, who was the Director of the Center for Adaptation Genetics and Drug Resistance at Tufts University School of Medicine.

The company's business centers on its expertise in tetracycline chemistry, which it has used to create a diverse portfolio of small molecules. Paratek generates revenue through the sale of its approved products and has also entered into collaboration and license agreements. For example, it has a partnership with Zai Lab for the development and commercialization of its lead product in the greater China region. A significant milestone occurred in June 2023, when Novo Holdings and Gurnet Point Capital announced an agreement to acquire Paratek for approximately $462 million, a deal that was finalized in September 2023. This acquisition was intended to provide the capital and resources to accelerate the commercialization of Paratek's main antibiotic. More recently, in May 2025, Paratek completed the acquisition of Optinose, a move designed to broaden its commercial product offerings.

Paratek's lead product is NUZYRA® (omadacycline), a once-daily antibiotic available in both intravenous and oral forms. It is approved in the U.S. for treating adult patients with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI). The company is also exploring NUZYRA's use for other conditions, including nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) pulmonary disease and pulmonary anthrax, the latter being supported by a contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). Another key product is SEYSARA® (sarecycline), an oral therapy for moderate to severe acne, which is marketed in the U.S. by Almirall. Through its acquisition of Optinose, Paratek added Xhance, a drug-device combination product for treating deep nasal cavity issues, to its portfolio.