Scrip caught up with several biopharma executives on Sept. 18 during the Interscience Conference of Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) and International Congress of Chemotherapy and Infection (ICC) in San Diego to discuss the status of their anti-infective drug development programs.

Research has shown that going without 7-8 hours of sleep each night takes a great toll on the human body, resulting in an increased risk for obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, mental illness, cancer growth, Alzheimer's disease and other health problems, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Derived from Strategic Transactions, Informa’s premium source for tracking life sciences deal activity, the Dealmaking column is a survey of recent health care transactions listed by relevant industry segment – In Vitro Diagnostics, Medical Devices, and Pharmaceuticals – and then categorized by type – Acquisition, Alliance, or Financing. This month’s column covers deals announced June-August 2014.

With two novel antibiotics approved and two more under review, 2014 is seeing the end of a long lean period for antibacterial R&D, helped by incentives like Qualified Infectious Disease Product designation. But only one candidate, Cubist’s ceftozolane/tazobactam, addresses the urgent need to target resistant Gram-negative bacteria.