GangaGen Secures Additional US$7.9M from CARB-X for Pre-clinical Development of Novel Klebicins Targeting Nosocomial Pneumonia caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae
New funding will help tackle multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae.
BANGALORE, India, Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- GangaGen is pleased to announce today that it has secured the third installment of its phased funding grant from CARB-X (Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator), a global non-profit partnership dedicated to supporting early-stage antibacterial research and development to address the rising threat of drug-resistant bacteria. The continued funding follows GangaGen's successful completion of Lead Optimization milestones within its ongoing CARB-X partnership for its "Klebicin program", which is designed to target infections caused by multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. CARB-X has already committed $7.9 million USD to support the preclinical development of GangaGen's Klebicin project. Further funding may be available, contingent on meeting specific milestones and subject to the availability of funds, to advance the preclinical phase and demonstrate safety in human volunteers.
"The progress made in the optimization of this novel therapeutic demonstrates the potential of targeted protein antibacterials in addressing the urgent global challenge posed by Klebsiella pneumoniae" - Erin Duffy, Chief of R&D, CARB-X."We are pleased to continue our partnership with GangaGen as they advance their Klebicin program," said Erin Duffy, Chief of R&D at CARB-X. "The progress made in the optimization of this novel therapeutic demonstrates the potential of targeted protein antibacterials in addressing the urgent global challenge posed by Klebsiella pneumoniae, particularly where antibiotic-resistant variants are concerned. CARB-X is excited to see GangaGen take the next steps toward bringing Klebicins to patients who need them most."
"Klebicins are targeted protein antibacterials that specifically kill K. pneumoniae, a hard-to-treat pulmonary pathogen that is increasingly becoming highly resistant to current antibiotics," said Tanjore S Balganesh, President of GangaGen Biotechnologies. "We are delighted to have met this major project milestone and to receive further CARB-X funding that will enable us to take Klebicins all the way to clinics."
Carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae has emerged as the most concerning bacterial pathogen in the 2024 WHO Bacterial Priority Pathogen List. "Klebicins offer potential treatment options for patients and this CARB-X funding is a big step towards achieving this," added Vivek Daniel Paul, CSO of GangaGen Biotechnologies.
"In collaboration with CARB-X, we are committed in our efforts to fight antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and investing in novel technologies to bring transformational solutions to address this global threat," said Suchad Chiaranussati, Board Member, GangaGen Biotechnologies.
K. pneumoniae presents a serious health challenge around the world and it can cause life-threatening infections such as pneumonia and neonatal sepsis. To address this unmet medical need, GangaGen is developing a novel class of therapeutics called Klebicins designed as precision agents to specifically target K. pneumoniae.
Acknowledgment and disclaimer:
Research reported in this press release is supported by CARB-X. CARB-X's funding for this project is provided 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; under agreement number: 75A50122C00028, and by awards from Wellcome (WT224842), Germany's Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), and the UK Department of Health and Social Care as part of the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Innovation Fund (GAMRIF). The content of this press release is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of CARB-X or any of its funders.
Media Contact
Tanjore S Balganesh, GangaGen, 91 80-40621300, balganesh@gangagen.com, https://gangagen.com/
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