CARB-X wins prestigious award for efforts to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria

CARB-X, or Combatting Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, recently won an award from the Global Health Technologies Coalition (GHTC) for its progress in expanding the pipeline of innovative products to address antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

The 2020 Innovating for Impact Partnership Award honors an “innovative research and development (R&D) partnership that brings together multisector partners to advance a high-impact, game-changing global health technology. The partnership must have received federally funded research support or in-kind support from a US government agency.”

The GHTC is a leading advocacy organization dedicated to global health R&D for new tools and technologies. It is a coalition of more than 25 non-profit organizations, academic institutions, and aligned businesses.

“US leadership in global health R&D has helped fuel tremendous progress in generating new cures and vaccines to fight the world’s deadliest health threats, and we’re so delighted to recognize the outstanding work of our honorees who are helping make this progress possible,” Jamie Bay Nishi, director of GHTC, said.

Antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections kill an estimated 700,000 people each year around the world, including 47,800 Americans, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Since CARB-X launched in 2016, it has supported the early development of 75 innovative antibiotics, vaccines, rapid diagnostics, and other life-saving products in 10 countries. CARB-X currently supports the world’s largest and most scientifically diverse early development antibacterial portfolio with 49 projects progressing.

“We are deeply honored that GHTC has chosen to recognize CARB-X with this Innovating for Impact award,” Kevin Outterson, executive director of CARB-X, said. “This award recognizes the outstanding vision and leadership of CARB-X’s funding partners, the dedication of the CARB-X team, and the innovative spirit and drive of scientists around the world who are developing products that target antibiotic-resistant bacteria.”

CARB-X is a non-profit partnership dedicated to accelerating early development antibacterial R&D. CARB-X is led by Boston University with funding provided by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), among other sources.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is a bitter reminder of the need to be prepared for global public health crises. The antibiotic resistance challenge is very relevant to the struggle with COVID-19, as many COVID-19 patients succumb due to a secondary bacterial infection not treatable with our current antibiotic products.” Outterson said.