CARB-X IS FUNDING A TEAM OF TOP GERMAN RESEARCHERS TO DEVELOP A DRUG TO TREAT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS INFECTIONS AND PREVENT EXACERBATION OF LIFE-THREATENING PNEUMONIA

CARB-X is awarding up to US$1.33 million to a German team of researchers to develop a potent first-in-class drug to treat Staphylococcus aureus infections and thereby prevent exacerbation of life-threatening pneumonia. The research team could be eligible for an additional $7.44 million from CARB-X if the project progresses and achieves certain milestones.

The drug is a small-molecule inhibitor of the S. aureus α-hemolysin, a virulence factor responsible for the bacterium’s pathogenicity and ability to cause infection and disease. The drug would disarm the pathogen’s most important toxin that causes damage to lung tissue and immune cells.  In doing so, the infection would be halted until the immune system, antibiotic or other therapy eliminates the harmful bacteria.