Helmholtz Institute of Pharmaceutical Research Saarland, Saarbrücken, Germany
https://www.helmholtz-hips.de/en

The Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) is developing a new class of small-molecule inhibitors of bacterial sliding clamp (DnaN), a pivotal component of DNA replication machinery, which is a clinically unproven but promising novel mechanism for targeting bacteria. These two degrees of novelty offer a potential advantage where the development of antibiotic resistance is concerned. The compounds display promising antibacterial activities against several pathogens that cause community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) and have the properties consistent with an oral therapy.

Lower respiratory tract infections, including CABP, are among the world’s deadliest communicable diseases. They are estimated to have killed 2.6 million people in 2019 globally, and they cause a substantial mortality, morbidity and economic burden for vulnerable people in low-income countries, where they are the second leading cause of death. More than 400,000 people globally died in 2019 due to lower respiratory tract infections attributable to drug-resistant bacteria, and even in a high-income country like the US, 22% of CABP cases result in treatment failure due to antibiotic resistance.

Current Development Stage: Hit-to-lead

CARB-X Investment: US$1.06M

Initial CARB-X Investment Date: March 1, 2024