Cubist announces continued global expansion with opening of International Headquarters in Zurich

With resistant bacterial infections resulting in an estimated 25,000 deaths in the European Union and 23,000 deaths in the United States annually, the issues of rising antibiotic resistance and the lack of treatment options have raised alarms with world leaders. As the call to action grows louder, Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(NASDAQ: CBST), the global leader in the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel antibiotics, today announced the official opening of its international headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, reinforcing its commitment to global public health. Located in a growing biopharmaceutical hub in Switzerland, the Company’s international operations complement the Cubist’s corporate headquarters in Lexington, Massachusetts in the United States.

To address the urgent need for new antibiotics, during 2014 Cubist expects to invest approximately USD 400M on antibiotic R&D, and is focusing its late-stage pipeline on addressing serious and potentially life-threatening healthcare-acquired bacterial infections.  Led by Patrick Vink, M.D., Senior Vice President and General Manager of International Business at Cubist, the Company’s international operations will focus on preparing for the launch of potential new antibiotics in Europe during 2015. 

“Dangerous superbugs know no geographic boundaries. Cubist has never been more committed—nor better positioned—to lead the battle against superbugs.  We are one of the few companies globally to take on the challenge of antibiotic resistance, and this expansion enables us to continue to address the growing medical need,” said Dr. Vink. “We selected Zurich for the location of our international headquarters due to its proximity to other markets, access to top talent, and stable business climate, as well as its position as a thriving and growing biopharmaceutical hub.”

Bruno Sauter, Deputy Minister of Department of Economy and Labour of the Canton of Zurich, commented:  “I am excited to welcome Cubist to Zurich, and look forward to the Company’s support of our commitment to create jobs and grow our innovation economy, including in the healthcare area. Cubist’s focus on the vital need to provide doctors and patients with new medicines to treat serious and potentially life-threatening infections is a great example of the type of mission-driven organizations we aim to attract to and nurture here in Zurich.

Cubist’s international expansion follows its strong performance in 2013, when the Company generated full year total net revenues of USD 1.1 billion.  Cubist has increased its global employee base to approximately 960, up 35% from 2012, when the Company introduced the Building Blocks of Growth, its five-year strategic goals. Approximately 3 out of every 4 employees at Cubist are focused on the research, development, commercialization, and support of antibiotics.  The Company anticipates a significant employee presence internationally, and expects to have around 200 internationally-based employees, of which approximately 50 will be based in Zurich. Cubist is focused on creating new jobs in Zurich and throughout Switzerland, including in medical, regulatory, and commercial capacities, as well as other support functions.