CARB-X, an initiative aimed at accelerating innovation in antibacterial treatment, today announced an award to a company to accelerate development of a new bioengineered antimicrobial intended to be applied directly to affected tissues. This follows an announcement earlier this month of funding another firm to develop a new antibiotic class to treat drug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections.

According to CARB-X, its portfolio is “the world’s largest and most scientifically diverse portfolio of early development antibiotics and rapid diagnostics to treat the most serious drug-resistant bacterial infections, often referred to as superbugs.”

CARB-X (Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator) was launched in July 2016. It currently funds projects in 6 countries and “is working to expand its pipeline with the best science from around the world.”

CARB-X’s mission is to: “Accelerate a diverse portfolio of at least 20 high-quality antibacterial products towards clinical development leveraging $455 million in BARDA funds with matching funds from Wellcome Trust.”

Antimicrobial resistance is on the rise globally, and CARB-X represents a leading effort to address potential shortages of new types of antimicrobials in the pipeline. It has partnered with 19 companies in six countries so far.

Today’s press release is reprinted below:

Amicrobe’s Amicidin-β program is the first topical antimicrobial in CARB-X’s portfolio and could potentially be used to treat infected tissue in surgical and emergency settings, as well as in post-disaster scenarios involving large numbers of injured people

CARB-X announced today an award of up to $2.48 million to Amicrobe Inc. to accelerate the development of a new bioengineered antimicrobial designed for direct application to contaminated and infected tissues, including those of surgery and trauma. The award commits funding of up to $2.48 million in an initial period, with the possibility of up to $3.76 million more based on the achievement of milestones.

The Amicrobe project brings to 20 the number of R&D programs in CARB-X portfolio. Click here to read more.

CARB-X is planning to announce other new awards in the coming weeks, continuing to build the world’s largest and most scientifically diverse R&D portfolio in the battle against drug-resistant bacteria.

Find out more about CARB-X news at www.carb-x.org/ or follow us on twitter @CARB_X

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The 12 October press release is accessible below:

On 12 October, CARB-X announced an award of $3.8 million to Entasis Therapeutics “to accelerate the development of a new antibiotic class to treat serious drug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections.” The award commits initial funding of up to $3.8 million with the possibility of up to $6.3 million more if milestones are met.