Spero Therapeutics
Spero Therapeutics is a Cambridge, MA-based biopharmaceutical company developing oral carbapenem antibiotics and other therapeutics for multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, with its lead product Utebzi (tebipenem pivoxil) FDA-approved in June 2026 for complicated urinary tract infections.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersCambridge, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Spero Therapeutics does
Spero Therapeutics, Inc. is a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company founded in 2013 and listed on NASDAQ (ticker SPRO) since November 2017, focused on developing therapeutics for multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections and rare infectious diseases. The company's lead asset, Utebzi (tebipenem pivoxil hydrobromide, formerly SPR994), is an oral carbapenem antibiotic that received FDA approval on June 17, 2026 for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) including pyelonephritis in adults, becoming the first and only oral carbapenem available in the U.S. The Phase 3 PIVOT-PO trial showed 58.5% clinical success versus 60.2% for IV imipenem-cilastatin. The pipeline additionally includes SPR206, an IV polymyxin derivative for MDR infections that is licensed to Pfizer for development outside the U.S. and Asian territories, and SPR720, an oral candidate for non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease with Phase 1 data published.
Spero generates revenue primarily through licensing and collaboration economics rather than direct product sales. In September 2022, GSK acquired near-global rights to tebipenem HBr in exchange for a $66 million upfront payment, up to $750 million in potential milestones, tiered royalties on net sales, and a $9 million equity investment in Spero. Pfizer's 2021 deal for SPR206 provided $40 million in equity and licensing economics for ex-U.S./Asian territories. HealthCare Royalty Partners provided $125 million in revenue-interest financing in 2021, and BARDA's pediatric development contract has a potential value of up to $59.7 million in non-dilutive government funding. FY2025 revenue totaled $66.8 million, driven largely by collaboration milestone and grant recognition including a $25 million milestone from GSK triggered by NDA resubmission in December 2025.
The company operates through a small team of 11-50 employees and runs a partner-driven commercialization model: GSK leads global Utebzi commercialization via established hospital formularies, retail pharmacy networks, and specialty distributors, while Pfizer owns ex-U.S. development rights for SPR206. Headquartered at 675 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge, MA, Spero has been recognized multiple times as one of Boston's Best Places to Work by the Boston Business Journal (2020, 2021, 2024) and maintains $56.1 million in cash and equivalents as of Q1 2026 with an operating runway extending into 2028.
Spero Therapeutics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Spero Therapeutics
- Legal name
- Spero Therapeutics, Inc.
- Website
- https://sperotherapeutics.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Spero Therapeutics is a Cambridge, MA-based biopharmaceutical company developing oral carbapenem antibiotics and other therapeutics for multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, with its lead product Utebzi (tebipenem pivoxil) FDA-approved in June 2026 for complicated urinary tract infections.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Spero Therapeutics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Infectious Disease Pharmaceuticals
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Infectious Disease & Antimicrobials Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Pulmonology & Allergy Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAF), Nephrology & Urology Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAH)
Keywords
Where Spero Therapeutics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cambridge
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Spero Therapeutics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Licensing Royalties from GSK: GSK pays Spero royalties on net sales of Utebzi (tebipenem pivoxil). Royalty structure rewards meaningful cash flow above $750M in annual net sales. Potential royalties of approximately $50 million annually with upside exceeding $100 million if blockbuster status achieved.
- Licensing Revenue from Pfizer: Pfizer licensed SPR206 for development outside U.S. and Asian territories, with Spero receiving upfront payment and potential milestone payments.
- BARDA Grant Funding: Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority provides funding support for tebipenem pediatric development, totaling up to $59.7 million potential contract value.
- Revenue Interest Financing: HealthCare Royalty Partners agreement providing upfront funding with potential milestones and royalties based on future revenue from medical products.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Prescription pharmaceutical product for complicated urinary tract infections |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Spero Therapeutics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Spero Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of antibacterial and anti-infective medicines. Its lead commercial product is Utebzi (tebipenem pivoxil hydrobromide), the first and only oral carbapenem antibiotic approved in the U.S. for complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) including pyelonephritis in adults. The pipeline includes SPR206 (a polymyxin derivative for multi-drug resistant bacterial infections, licensed to Pfizer) and SPR720 (an oral agent for non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease).
Product overview
Spero Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of investigational medicines targeting rare diseases and multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections. The company's lead product is Utebzi (tebipenem pivoxil hydrobromide), an FDA-approved oral carbapenem antibiotic for complicated urinary tract infections - the first and only oral carbapenem available in the US. The pipeline includes SPR206 (licensed to Pfizer for MDR bacterial infections) and SPR720 (in development for non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease). The company operates through partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies including GSK (for tebipenem HBr) and Pfizer (for SPR206), with funding support from government agencies like BARDA.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Utebzi (tebipenem pivoxil hydrobromide) FDA-approved oral carbapenem antibiotic for treating complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) including pyelonephritis in adults. The first and only oral carbapenem approved in the U.S., developed to help patients avoid hospitalizations or transition home after IV therapy. Commercialized globally (outside Japan and certain Asian territories) by GSK under exclusive license.
- SPR206 Investigational intravenous polymyxin derivative drug candidate for the treatment of multi-drug resistant bacterial infections. Licensed to Pfizer for development and commercialization outside of U.S. and Asian territories under a 2021 agreement that included a $40 million equity investment.
- SPR720 Investigational oral drug candidate for the treatment of non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) pulmonary disease. Phase 1 clinical trial results have been published. Remains in clinical-stage development.
Quantifiable outcome
- 58.5% overall success rate vs 60.2% for IV imipenem-cilastatin in PIVOT-PO Phase 3 trial
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Spero Therapeutics
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Spero Therapeutics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Spero Therapeutics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- GSK (GlaxoSmithKline)flagshipExclusive global licensing agreement for tebipenem HBr (Utebzi). GSK received rights to commercialize outside Japan and certain Asian territories. Spero received $66 million upfront, potential milestones up to $750 million, tiered royalties, and GSK purchased $9 million in Spero shares. FDA approved Utebzi on June 17, 2026 for cUTI in adults. GSK assumes NDA sponsorship and commercialization responsibilities.
- Pfizer Inc.core$40 million equity investment and licensing agreement for SPR206, a drug candidate for multi-drug resistant bacterial infections. Pfizer purchased shares and obtained rights to develop and commercialize SPR206 outside U.S. and Asian territories. Spero uses funds to support clinical pipeline.
- Meiji Seika PharmaminorStrategic partner with logo displayed on Spero Therapeutics partnerships page; specific collaboration details not detailed in available sources.
- Vertex PharmaceuticalsminorStrategic partner with logo displayed on Spero Therapeutics partnerships page; specific collaboration details not detailed in available sources.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Spero Therapeutics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Melinta Therapeutics: Melinta Therapeutics is a specialty antibiotics company commercializing drugs for serious bacterial infections, directly comparable as a focused anti-infective pharma with both marketed and development-stage carbapenem/quinolone assets.
- Tetraphase Biosciences: Tetraphase developed eravacycline (Xerava), an IV antibiotic approved for complicated intra-abdominal infections, and was acquired by La Jolla Pharmaceutical — a relevant precedent for a small-cap anti-infective with a single approved asset.
- Paratek Pharmaceuticals: Paratek Pharmaceuticals developed and commercialized omadacycline and tetracycline-class antibiotics, a comparable specialty anti-infective company that navigated similar FDA approval and partnership dynamics.
- Iterum Therapeutics: Iterum Therapeutics is developing oral antibiotics (sulopenem) for complicated urinary tract infections, directly competing with Spero's Utebzi in the same cUTI oral step-down market with similar patient population and prescriber base.
- Nabriva Therapeutics: Nabriva Therapeutics develops antibiotics for community-acquired pneumonia and complicated UTIs, making it a direct peer in the specialty anti-infective space with similar regulatory and commercialization challenges.
- Cidara Therapeutics: Cidara Therapeutics develops anti-infectives including antivirals and antibacterial conjugates, comparable to Spero as a small clinical-stage biopharma focused on novel anti-infective modalities.
- Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics (formerly Entasis/VenatoRx): Innoviva acquired Entasis Therapeutics and VenatoRx, both of which developed novel antibiotics for multi-drug resistant bacterial infections — directly comparable to Spero's SPR206 program targeting the same MDR Gram-negative market.
Broad incumbents
- GSK (GlaxoSmithKline): GSK is Spero's primary commercialization partner (Utebzi global licensee) and a broad incumbent with extensive infectious disease and antibiotics heritage, comparable as the counterparty controlling Utebzi's commercial destiny.
- Pfizer Inc. Pfizer is both an Spero partner (SPR206 licensee, $40M equity investor) and a broad incumbent in the anti-infective space with established carbapenem franchises (meropenem) and large infectious disease R&D infrastructure that could compete in MDR infections.
Emerging players
- BioMarin Pharmaceutical: BioMarin is a rare-disease focused biopharma with a similar small-cap commercial-stage model — relevant as a comp for how a specialty pharma of Spero's size monetizes a single high-need therapy through partnership-driven commercialization.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Spero Therapeutics social profiles
Digital presenceSpero Therapeutics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Spero Therapeutics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Spero Therapeutics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds16 records
Investors21 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Spero Therapeutics M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Spero Therapeutics
What does Spero Therapeutics do?
Spero Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of antibacterial and anti-infective medicines. Its lead commercial product is Utebzi (tebipenem pivoxil hydrobromide), the first and only oral carbapenem antibiotic approved in the U.S. for complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) including pyelonephritis in adults. The pipeline includes SPR206 (a polymyxin derivative for multi-drug resistant bacterial infections, licensed to Pfizer) and SPR720 (an oral agent for non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease).
Is Spero Therapeutics a public or private company?
Spero Therapeutics is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Spero Therapeutics founded?
Spero Therapeutics was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Spero Therapeutics based?
Spero Therapeutics is headquartered in Cambridge, United States, in the North America region.
How does Spero Therapeutics make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Licensing Royalties from GSK is the primary driver. The others are licensing Revenue from Pfizer, BARDA Grant Funding and revenue Interest Financing.
Who are Spero Therapeutics's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Melinta Therapeutics, Tetraphase Biosciences, Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Iterum Therapeutics, Nabriva Therapeutics, Cidara Therapeutics and Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics (formerly Entasis/VenatoRx). Broad incumbents are GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) and Pfizer Inc.. BioMarin Pharmaceutical is listed as an emerging player.
Does Spero Therapeutics have an API?
No public API is recorded for Spero Therapeutics.
What industry is Spero Therapeutics in?
Spero Therapeutics's product category is Infectious Disease Pharmaceuticals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIAAAG, Infectious Disease & Antimicrobials Pharmaceuticals, with a secondary code of HLAIACAF, Pulmonology & Allergy Specialty Pharmaceuticals. Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 2834.