OTS - CARB-X FUNDS THE 3RD ROUND OF DEBIOPHARM'S TARGETED ANTIBIOTIC PROGRAM TO COMBAT RESISTANT N. GONORRHOEAE INFECTIONS (part 1)
2021. October 19. 09:00
Lausanne, Switzerland, - Boston, USA, 19 Octöber, 2021 (APA/OTS) -
Debiopharm (www.debiopharm.com), a Swiss-based global
biopharmaceutical company announced today having been awarded the
third phase funding to advance the development of its antibiotic
program, Debio 1453, by the Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X), a Boston-based non-profit
accelerating antibacterial research. This extended financing will
support the ongoing development of a novel antibiotic for the
treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections, including those
caused by multi-resistant strains.
This extension of over $1 million will allow the completion of
preliminary toxicology studies needed to determine the doses for
pivotal toxicology research as well as optimize the production
steps of the development candidate. This is a step towards the
development of an affordable, quality product for human use and
eventual clinical research. This funding succeeds the previous
rounds over the last 4 years supporting earlier research, totaling
up to $4 million since 2017.
"CARB-X is taking a portfolio approach to tackling gonorrhea by
investing across all pillars - preventatives, diagnostics, and
therapeutics. New classes with oral options are much needed to
treat gonorrhea; as such, we are pleased to support the progression
of '1453 into preclinical studies," said Erin Duffy, PhD, Chief of
R&D at CARB-X.
Due to an alarming level of antimicrobial resistance and
infection, N. gonorrhoeae represents a concerning global public
health issue with a high unmet need for new treatments.1 In
response to this urgent need, Debiopharm is developing Debio 1453,
a novel narrow-spectrum antibiotic that inhibits FabI, an enzyme
essential for fatty acid synthesis in this bacteria. A promising
lead compound has emerged from previous development exhibiting
strong efficacy in pre-clinical models. This compound has the
potential to expand the range of treatments against N. gonorrhoeae
and to be active against resistant strains.
"We are thrilled and appreciative having been awarded an
additional grant from CARB-X. This renewal of research funding
demonstrates the promising capacity of our antibiotic program to
make a revolutionary impact in the battle against drug-resistant N.
gonorrhoeae," said Thierry Mauvernay, President of Debiopharm.
Various formerly efficacious treatments have become ineffective
attributable to N. gonorrhoeae's extensive history of microbial
drug resistance.(1) According to the CDC, it is paramount to
perpetually observe antibiotic resistance in N. gonorrhoeae as well
as stimulate the research and development of new treatment
practices.(2) The infection is transmitted to approximately 78
million people each year and can cause serious conditions such as
pelvic inflammatory disease and in some cases, infertility in the
absence of treatment.(3)
"It is critical to act quickly in face of the skyrocketing
amount of super-bugs indicating resistance to available
antibiotics," said Bertrand Ducrey, CEO of Debiopharm. "In order
for us to be equipped to evade an approaching epidemic of patients
with N. gonorrhoeae vastly resistant to current therapies, we must
continue to make strides in new treatment development."
Research reported in this press release is supported by CARB-X.
CARB-X's funding for this project is sponsored by the Cooperative
Agreement Number IDSEP160030 from ASPR/BARDA and by an award from
Wellcome Trust. The content is solely the responsibility of the
authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of
CARB-X or any of its funders. (continues)