Antibacterials have been part of Merck's mission for decades, despite the market challenges, and it's expecting two new approvals this year. Infectious disease VP Joan Butterton talks about tackling those challenges and incentives that may help the industry address antimicrobial resistance.

Two-week treatment data comparing the investigational echinocandin antifungal with caspofungin shows trend toward better cure rate with similar efficacy. Cidara plans Phase III trials for treatment and prevention of difficult-to-treat infections.

Start-up Impact's new structured financing – its second fundraising event this month – will pay out in increments as fedratinib nears the market. Also, Ablynx closed its $200m US IPO; Chi-Med follow-on brings in $262m; and VCs gives Cydan $34m to launch new companies.

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.