Basilea receives extra CARB-X funding for new antibiotic candidate development

Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd, a biopharmaceutical company based in Allschwil, Switzerland, has received a significant boost in its efforts to tackle severe bacterial infections. The company announced it was granted an additional USD 7.3 million from CARB-X, a global partnership focused on early antibacterial product development. This new funding is intended to advance Basilea’s novel antibiotic, BAL2420, towards its first-in-human clinical trials expected in mid-2026.

BAL2420 is a promising drug candidate in the fight against Gram-negative bacterial infections, which are notoriously difficult to treat. These infections are caused by pathogens such as E. coli and K. pneumoniae, which have shown resistance to many existing antibiotics, including those considered last-resort treatments. The drug targets LptA, an integral part of the lipopolysaccharide transport mechanism in these bacteria, which is essential for their survival. In preclinical studies, LptA inhibitors like BAL2420 have demonstrated strong bactericidal effects against drug-resistant strains of these bacteria.

The recognition of Enterobacteriaceae as priority pathogens by the World Health Organization underscores the critical need for new antibiotics in this area. Basilea’s development of BAL2420 is a response to this urgent global health challenge. The project, initially bolstered by an earlier CARB-X grant of USD 0.9 million for preclinical work, has now progressed to a stage where the drug candidate is ready for more advanced studies. The successful nomination of BAL2420 was pivotal in achieving this milestone, resulting in a final payment to Spexis AG, from whom the LptA program was acquired earlier in 2024.

Dr. Laurenz Kellenberger, Chief Scientific Officer of Basilea, expressed satisfaction with CARB-X’s support, emphasizing the potential impact of BAL2420 on hospital-based treatments for severe infections. He noted the collaboration with CARB-X as crucial in advancing this first-in-class drug candidate to patients in need.

CARB-X, led by Boston University, plays a vital role in funding initiatives aimed at tackling antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a growing public health threat. The organization prioritizes projects that address the most critical and high-risk pathogens identified by health authorities like the CDC and WHO. Funding for projects like BAL2420 is supported by a collaboration of governments and foundations, including contributions from the US Department of Health and Human Services, Wellcome Trust, and Germany’s BMBF.

Basilea, founded in 2000, has a strong track record in developing drugs for severe infections. The company has commercialized two successful treatments: Cresemba for invasive fungal infections and Zevtera for bacterial infections. With a portfolio that also includes preclinical and clinical anti-infective assets, Basilea is poised to make significant contributions to the field of infectious diseases.

This recent funding announcement marks a pivotal step in Basilea’s journey to bring new and effective treatments to market, particularly in combating drug-resistant bacterial infections. As the company moves forward, the collaboration with CARB-X and other global health stakeholders will be instrumental in overcoming the challenges posed by antibiotic resistance and meeting the needs of patients worldwide.