Locus Biosciences, Morrisville, NC, USA
www.locus-bio.com/

LBP-KP01
CRISPR CAS-3 BACTERIOPHAGE
K. pneumoniae rUTI infections

Locus Biosciences is developing a new precision medicine to treat serious recurring urinary tract infections (rUTI) caused by the bacterial pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae. K. pneumoniae are bacteria belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family of pathogens, and are commonly the cause of antibiotic-resistant infections in healthcare settings. LBP-KP01 is a bacteriophage cocktail that has been engineered with a CRIPSR-Cas3 construct targeting the K. pneumoniae genome. It works through a unique dual mechanism of action utilizing the natural lytic activity of the bacteriophage along with the DNA-targeting activity of CRISPR-Cas3. This dual mechanism makes LBP-KP01 significantly more effective at killing K. pneumoniae cells than corresponding natural bacteriophages. The mechanism also makes LBP-KP01 effective in killing K. pneumoniae strains regardless of whether they are resistant to antibiotics. The LBP-KP01 project is part of an arsenal of products under development by Locus designed to address serious infections irrespective of underlying drug-resistance within the species, with funding from BARDA for a bacteriophage cocktail directed against E. coli also for the treatment of UTIs

Current Development Stage: Lead Optimization

CARB-X Investment: Initial investment of up to $2.05m, with potential option payments up to $10.5m.

Initial CARB-X Investment Date: July 1, 2020