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Award to support the development of molecules to inhibit BamA protein
Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) will award a seed grant of US$610k to Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU) to support the definition of a lead optimization path for the development of a direct-acting peptide therapeutic based on a natural-product scaffold targeting Gram-negative pathogens.
The natural product research group of JLU is using novel biosynthetic and semi-synthetic approaches to develop a first-in-class peptide antibiotic designed to inhibit the BamA protein, a currently unaddressed and highly promising antibiotic target specific for Gram-negative bacteria. If successful, the therapeutic could address various syndromes such as complicated urinary tract infections and lung infections including those occurring in cystic fibrosis patients.
“CARB-X is pleased to support the work of Justus Liebig University Giessen in optimizing a natural product antibiotic targeting the BamA protein”, said Erin Duffy, PhD, R&D Chief of CARB-X. “Since BamA is involved in essential processes for the survival of a wide range of Gram-negative pathogens, an optimized peptide antibiotic targeting this protein could have broad-spectrum activity, with a potential for a lack of cross-resistance to current therapies.”
Gram-negative bacteria are among the leading causes of severe bacterial infections worldwide. These pathogens often develop resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics due to their unique cell wall structure, which makes them more resistant to many antibiotics compared to Gram-positive bacteria. The outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria acts as a barrier, limiting the effectiveness of many traditional antibiotics.
“We are thrilled and proud to become part of the CARB-X mission to bring our molecules closer to the patient with our vision to use what nature developed for human health,” said Prof. Dr. Till F. Schäberle, Professor for Natural Product Research at JLU.
“Multi-resistant bacteria are a threat to global health. I am delighted that JLU researchers are contributing to the urgently needed development of new antibiotics with innovative approaches,” added Prof. Dr. Katharina Lorenz, President of JLU.
In March 2024, CARB-X launched a new funding solicitation to fill major R&D gaps in the global antibiotic development pipeline. More than 300 Expressions of Interest were accepted in four distinct product themes: therapeutics for infections caused by Gram-negative pathogens, prevention of invasive disease, diagnostics for neonatal sepsis, and proof-of-concept for novel sample types for diagnosing lower-respiratory tract infections. Additional projects are under review, and new awards will be announced later this year. Register for the CARB-X newsletter to learn about upcoming funding calls that will be announced in 2025.
New estimates published in September 2024 reveal that 39 million deaths directly attributable to bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) will occur between 2025-2050. This is equal to three deaths every minute. Under an alternative scenario where urgent action is taken to replenish a Gram-negative drug pipeline to prevent AMR deaths, more than 11 million deaths could be averted in the same timeframe. This is part of the mission of CARB-X, which is accelerating the development of high-value, innovative products to prevent, diagnose and treat the most dangerous bacterial infections that have become resistant to antibiotics. CARB-X emphasizes performance characteristics that patients need against infections driving the greatest global morbidity and mortality.
When CARB-X was founded in 2016, the early-stage antibiotic pipeline was stalled. Since its inception, CARB-X has supported 108 R&D projects in 13 countries, and CARB-X product developers have made significant progress: 18 projects have advanced into or completed clinical trials; 12 remain active in clinical development, including late-stage clinical trials; and two diagnostic products have reached the market. Additionally, at least 9 product developers with active R&D projects have already secured advanced development partnerships to support their clinical development after leaving the CARB-X portfolio. All CARB-X-funded product developers are contractually obligated to develop a Stewardship and Access Plan for their product, outlining strategies to ensure responsible stewardship and appropriate access in low- and middle-income countries.
CARB-X is funded in part with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) under agreement number 75A50122C00028 and by awards from Wellcome (WT224842), Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Innovation Fund (GAMRIF), the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in HHS, provides support in the form of in-kind services through access to a suite of preclinical services for product development. The content of this press release is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of any CARB-X funders.
About CARB-X
CARB-X (Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator) is a global non-profit partnership dedicated to supporting early-stage antibacterial research and development to address the rising threat of drug-resistant bacteria. CARB-X supports innovative therapeutics, preventatives and rapid diagnostics. CARB-X is led by Boston University and funded by a consortium of governments and foundations. CARB-X funds only projects that target drug-resistant bacteria highlighted on the CDC’s Antibiotic Resistant Threats list, or the Priority Bacterial Pathogens list published by the WHO, with a priority on those pathogens deemed Serious or Urgent on the CDC list or Critical or High on the WHO list. https://carb-x.org/ | X (formerly Twitter) @CARB_X
About Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU)
Founded in 1607, Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU) is a research university with a long-standing tradition which attracts around 25,000 students. Apart from the wide range of subjects on offer ‒ extending from classical natural sciences, law and economics, social and educational sciences to linguistics and cultural studies – it offers a selection of life science subjects that is unique not only in Hesse: human and veterinary medicine, agricultural, environmental and nutritional sciences and food chemistry. The leading personae who carried out research and taught at JLU include a number of Nobel Prize winners, such as Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen (Nobel Prize for Physics in 1901) and Wangari Maathai (Nobel Peace Prize in 2004). Since 2006, JLU has been receiving continuous funding from German central and state governments in the Excellence Initiative and the Excellence Strategy. www.uni-giessen.de
About BARDA and NIAID
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services works to enhance and protect the health and well-being of all Americans, providing for effective health and human services and fostering advances in medicine, public health, and social services. The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) leads the nation’s medical and public health preparedness for, response to and recovery from disaster and other public health emergencies. Within ASPR, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) invests in innovation, advanced research and development, acquisition, and manufacturing of medical countermeasures – vaccines, drugs, therapeutics, diagnostic tools, and non-pharmaceutical products – needed to combat health security threats. BARDA is one of the leading public sector funders of advanced development of antimicrobial therapeutics and diagnostics worldwide, having invested more than $2.4 billion in antimicrobial products since 2010. This investment has supported the development of over 160 antimicrobial products and led to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of four new antibiotics and FDA 510(k) clearance of eight diagnostics.
About Wellcome
Wellcome supports science to solve the urgent health challenges facing everyone. We support discovery research into life, health and wellbeing, and we’re taking on three worldwide health challenges: mental health, infectious disease and climate and health.
About the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
Education and research are crucial foundations for our future. Thus, the promotion of education, science and research is a policy priority of the German Federal Government. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) strengthens education at all stages of life and provides support for scientific research and innovation.
About the Global AMR Innovation Fund (GAMRIF)
The Global AMR Innovation Fund (GAMRIF) is a One Health aid fund that supports research and development around the world to reduce the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in humans, animals and the environment for the benefit of people in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). GAMRIF core objectives are to develop innovative One Health solutions to tackle AMR; increase availability of context-specific, accessible, and affordable innovations for LMICs; establish international research partnerships with industry, academia, and governments; and collaborate with and leverage additional funding from other global donors.
About the Public Health Agency of Canada
The Public Health Agency of Canada is an agency of the Government of Canada that is responsible for public health, emergency preparedness and response, and infectious and chronic disease control and prevention. Created in 2004 with a mission to promote and protect the health of Canadians through leadership, partnership, innovation and action in public health, the Agency’s activities focus on preventing disease and injuries, responding to public health threats, promoting good physical and mental health, and providing information to support informed decision making. The Agency has a long history of working with domestic and international partners on combatting health threats, including AMR. Most recently, the Agency released the Pan-Canadian Action Plan on AMR, a multijurisdictional effort that emphasizes One Health collaboration to make progress on AMR.
About the Novo Nordisk Foundation
Established in Denmark in 1924, the Novo Nordisk Foundation is an enterprise foundation with philanthropic objectives. The vision of the Foundation is to improve people’s health and the sustainability of society and the planet. The Foundation’s mission is to progress research and innovation in the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic and infectious diseases as well as to advance knowledge and solutions to support a green transformation of society.
www.novonordiskfonden.dk/en
About Boston University
Founded in 1839, Boston University is an internationally recognized institution of higher education and research. With nearly 37,000 students, it is one of the largest private residential universities in the United States. BU consists of 17 schools and colleges, along with the Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences and a number of multi-disciplinary centers and institutes integral to the University’s research and teaching mission. In 2012, BU joined the Association of American Universities (AAU), a consortium of leading research universities in the United States and Canada. For further information, please contact Kim Miragliuolo at kmira@bu.edu. www.bu.edu
Prof. Dr. Till Schäberle
Institut für Insektenbiotechnologie der Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen
AG Naturstoffforschung
Telefon: 0641 97219-140
E-Mail: Till.F.Schaeberle@agrar.uni-giessen.de
Marissa Novel (CARB-X)
Universität Boston, USA
E-Mail: carbxpr@bu.edu
https://carb-x.org/
https://carb-x.org/sign-up/
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