BARDA, Achaogen partner to develop antibiotic to combat infections from drug resistant bacteria

The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) recently entered into a nine-month, $12 million contract with Achaogen, Inc to develop an antibiotic called C-scape that could treat certain types of drug-resistant bacteria and infections caused by bacteria used in biowarfare.

Under terms of the contract, BARDA will support nonclinical studies, manufacturing, and preparatory activities for a planned Phase 3 clinical trial of C-scape to treat complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs).

BARDA said that early testing suggested that the antibiotic could protect against biowarfare agents including the plague-causing Yersinia pestis bacteria and Francisella tularensis, which causes tularemia.

The orally-administered C-scape is being developed as a two-component treatment, combing a beta-lactam antibiotic with a compound that inhibits Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases enzymes.

The contract includes an extension option for up to a total of three years and $18 million to support additional manufacturing, nonclinical studies, and preparatory filings needed for approval and licensure from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“Combating antibiotic-resistant infections is fundamental to U.S. biodefense,” BARDA Director Rick Bright said. “The long hospitalizations that may be likely after a bioterrorism attack leave Americans open to secondary drug-resistant infections, which means to be prepared for bioterrorism, we need to have products available that treat antibiotic-resistant infections.”