The global non-profit CARB-X awarded $2.91 million to German drug company Evotec SE this week, funding its efforts to develop an entirely new class of broad-spectrum antibiotics meant to treat multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 700,000 people die each year from drug-resistant infections, many of them acquired in healthcare environments. The development of a novel broad-spectrum antibiotic, capable of both gram-positive and gram-negative coverage, could, therefore, represent a major medical victory, helping to counter such troubles as stubborn urinary tract infections, intra-abdominal infections, and pneumonia picked up at hospitals.
“Serious hospital-acquired bacterial infections are a global threat, due in part to the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria for which we do not have therapies,” Erin Duffy, R&D chief of CARB-X, said. “Evotec’s compounds are the product of a rational drug-design approach and constitute a new antibacterial class which should not be impacted by cross-resistance to current therapies. If proven clinically, this class would offer treatment where few or no options are available.”
At the heart of the issue is that healthcare centers, while dedicated to saving lives, can often become breeding grounds for more complex and deadly bacteria. Patients, visitors, and hospital staff alike can spread them for days after touching contaminated hospital surfaces, introducing them into the wider world.
CARB-X, which has awarded funds to developers in 10 countries since its founding in 2016, aims to turn that around. Its deal with Evotec also represents the addition of its first pharmaceutical R&D company in Germany.
For the agreement, Evotec will in-license a research program from U.S. biotechnology company Resolute Therapeutics while continuing pre-clinical development of its proprietary drug discovery and development platforms.
“We are delighted to license this highly innovative antibacterial program from Resolute,” Dr. Cord Dohrmann, Chief Scientific Officer of Evotec, said. “New antibiotics are urgently needed, particularly those that hold significant promise to overcome antimicrobial resistance. The significant support from CARB-X further validates the approach, and we are optimistic to rapidly drive this program to clinical proof of concept and beyond.”
If the project proceeds will and certain milestones are met, Evotec could also gain another $5.53 million from CARB-X in non-dilutive funding.