GangaGen Biotechnologies Pvt Ltd, Bangalore, India
http://www.gangagen.com/

KLEBICINS
ENGINEERED ANTIBIOTIC PROTEINS 
Treatment of MDR K. pneumoniae

GangaGen is developing novel antibacterial proteins called klebicins into a narrow-spectrum agent targeting multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae, including the carbapenem-resistant and ESBL-expressing K. pneumoniae that are of particular clinical concern.  K. pneumoniae presents a serious health challenge around the world and is of increasing concern in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where it causes life-threatening infections such as pneumonia and neonatal sepsis. Klebicins’ novel mechanism of action enables specific killing of the target pathogen without impacting the microbiome. This highly innovative project could deliver a first-in-class new therapeutic, and although it is still at an early stage, it has obtained encouraging in vivo efficacy data. The CARB-X award will support further discovery, protein engineering and development of potent klebicins for the treatment of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by K. pneumoniae.

Current Development Stage: Lead optimization

CARB-X Investment: Initial investment of up to $2.5m, with potential option payments up to $8.1m.

Initial CARB-X Investment Date: August 1, 2020