Anatara Lifesciences announced Aug. 21 that global animal health company, Zoetis Inc. has exercised its option to negotiate a commercial agreement for the worldwide development, distribution and marketing of Anatara's Detach product, with terms to be agreed.

The licensing negotiations follow an exclusive research evaluation and license option period that was announced Jan. 18, 2016, during which time Zoetis completed a preliminary evaluation of Detach as a non-antibiotic approach to help control scours in certain livestock. It is expected that negotiations will take some months to complete, and there is no guarantee that a transaction will be completed, Anatara said.

Anatara chairman and chief executive officer Dr. Mel Bridges said, “We are delighted to now be moving into formal negotiations for Detach’s development and commercialization.”

According to Anatara, its technology has potential to play a part as an alternative to traditional antibiotics to help control scours in farm animals. Collaboration between Anatara and Zoetis reinforces the two companies’ commitment to reducing the use of antibiotics in livestock production, the announcement said.

Anatara is developing therapeutics for gastrointestinal diseases in production animals and humans. Its lead product Detach is a natural plant-based product that will help address global concerns around the overuse of antibiotics in production animals that is contributing to the rise of so-called “super bugs” that make infectious diseases harder to treat.

Zoetis is a leading animal health company, dedicated to supporting its customers and their businesses. Building on more than 60 years of experience in animal health, Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines and medicines, complemented by diagnostic products, genetic tests, biodevices and a range of services.