CARB-X Novel Chemistry for AMR Challenge seeks applications for validated AMR targets

(BOSTON: January 8, 2026) – Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) is seeking applications for novel chemistry plans against known antimicrobial resistance (AMR) targets. The aim is to unlock innovative starting points for therapeutics to address dangerous, drug-resistant bacterial infections.

The “CARB-X Novel Chemistry for AMR Challenge” is a target-based therapeutics funding call seeking proposals to generate novel chemistry scaffolds with activity against validated bacterial targets, supported by defined chemistry plans based on literature evidence. Organic chemists with an interest in contributing to the next generation of life-saving antibiotics are encouraged to apply.

Estimates show that regular approval of new, potent antibiotics targeting key Gram-negative bacterial pathogens could avert 11.1 million cumulative deaths caused by AMR in the coming 25 years, with the largest reductions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in regions including South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia and Oceania, and sub-Saharan Africa.

CARB-X will begin accepting novel chemistry applications during its 2026 Funding Round, which opens in April 2026. Applications will also be accepted during the second funding call in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Eligible applications must submit a detailed chemistry plan, supported by chemical validation and historical hits, including those that may originate from published literature. Plans must be focused on one of the following five structurally enabled molecular targets: the clinically validated broad-spectrum targets of the ribosome, penicillin-binding proteins, and Type II topoisomerases, and the pre-clinically validated Gram-negative targets LpxH and LolCDE. Applicants must be able to synthesize analogs at sufficient scale to enter a defined biology testing cascade that will be made available to help evaluate the compounds.

“The CARB-X Novel Chemistry for AMR Challenge represents a new and exciting opportunity for talented chemists to push the boundaries of antimicrobial research,” said Richard Alm, PhD, Interim Chief of R&D at CARB-X. “By advancing fresh chemical strategies against validated AMR targets, applicants have the potential to spark breakthroughs that could inform the next generation of life-saving antibiotics and transform the treatment of dangerous bacterial infections worldwide.”

Accepted applications are anticipated to enter the CARB-X portfolio at the Hit-to-Lead stage, with the primary goal of demonstrating that scaffold expansion is possible and results in improved biological properties and antibacterial activity. If a project meets its milestones, it will have an opportunity to advance into the Lead Optimization stage and to be introduced to downstream development partners where appropriate.

Interested chemists are encouraged to review current literature on the five targets to help define their proposed chemistry plans to be included in the application.

• Ribosome – responsible for protein synthesis, and the clinically validated target of many classes of antibacterial agents (aminoglycosides, macrolides, tetracyclines, etc.)
• Penicillin-binding proteins – responsible for synthesis of cell wall peptidoglycan, and clinically validated targets of both β-lactam and some classes of non-β-lactam antibiotics
• Type II Topoisomerases – responsible for maintaining DNA topology in an ATP-dependent manner during DNA replication, and clinically validated targets of the quinolone and new NBTI classes of antibiotics
• LpxH – an essential enzyme in the lipid A biosynthetic pathway of Gram-negative bacteria
• LolCDE – an essential ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter system involved in lipoprotein transport in Gram-negative bacteria

Additional information about the 2026 Funding Round will be published in the coming weeks.

When CARB-X was founded in 2016, the early-stage antibacterial pipeline was stalled. Since its inception, CARB-X has supported 121 R&D projects in 15 countries, and CARB-X product developers have made significant progress: 22 projects have advanced into or completed clinical trials; 14 remain active in clinical development, including late-stage clinical trials; and 3 products have reached the market. Additionally, more than 10 product developers with active R&D projects have already secured advanced development partnerships to support their clinical development after leaving the CARB-X portfolio. All CARB-X-funded product developers are contractually obligated to develop a Stewardship and Access Plan for their product, outlining strategies to ensure responsible stewardship and appropriate access in low- and middle-income countries.

CARB-X is funded 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 (BARDA) under agreement number 75A50122C00028 and by awards from Wellcome (WT224842), the UK Department of Health and Social Care’s Global Antimicrobial Resistance Innovation Fund (GAMRIF), the Gates Foundation, Germany’s Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the Novo Nordisk Foundation, Italy’s Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), and Japan’s Ministry of Health. The U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in HHS, provides support in the form of in-kind services through access to a suite of preclinical services for product development. The content of this publication is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of any CARB-X funders. 

CARB-X Contact: Marissa Novel, carbxpr@bu.edu

About CARB-X

CARB-X (Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator) is a global non-profit partnership dedicated to supporting early-stage antibacterial research and development to address the rising threat of drug-resistant bacteria. CARB-X supports innovative therapeutics, preventatives and rapid diagnostics. CARB-X is led by Boston University and funded by a consortium of governments and foundations. CARB-X funds only projects that target the most serious, resistant bacteria identified on global priority lists, syndromes with the greatest global morbidity and mortality, and performance characteristics necessary for patients. https://carb-x.org/ | X (formerly Twitter) @CARB_X

About BARDA and NIAID

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) works to enhance and protect the health and well-being of all Americans, providing for effective health and human services and fostering advances in medicine, public health, and social services. The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) leads the nation’s medical and public health preparedness for, response to and recovery from disaster and other public health emergencies. Within ASPR, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) invests in innovation, advanced research and development, acquisition, and manufacturing of medical countermeasures needed to combat health security threats. BARDA is one of the leading public sector funders of advanced development of antimicrobial therapeutics and diagnostics worldwide, having invested more than $2.4 billion in antimicrobial products since 2010. This investment has supported the development of over 160 antimicrobial products and led to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of four new antibiotics and FDA 510(k) clearance of eight diagnostics.

As part of HHS, NIH is the primary U.S. federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. NIAID conducts and supports research — at NIH, throughout the United States, and worldwide — to study the causes of infectious and immune-mediated diseases, and to develop better means of preventing, diagnosing and treating these illnesses.

About Wellcome

Wellcome supports science to solve the urgent health challenges facing everyone. We support discovery research into life, health and wellbeing, and we’re taking on three worldwide health challenges: mental health, infectious disease and climate and health.

About the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR)

Research and innovation are the foundations for our future. The promotion of science and research by BMFTR represents an important contribution to securing Germany’s prosperity. Research is a German Federal Government policy priority, which is reflected in the development of the funding it is making available to these fields.

About the Global AMR Innovation Fund (GAMRIF)

The Global AMR Innovation Fund (GAMRIF) is a One Health aid fund that supports research and development around the world to reduce the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in humans, animals and the environment for the benefit of people in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). GAMRIF core objectives are to develop innovative One Health solutions to tackle AMR; increase availability of context-specific, accessible, and affordable innovations for LMICs; establish international research partnerships with industry, academia, and governments; and collaborate with and leverage additional funding from other global donors.

About the Public Health Agency of Canada

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), established in 2004, is responsible for public health, emergency preparedness and response, and infectious and chronic disease control and prevention.  Its mission is to improve the health of all people and communities in Canada by addressing public health priorities through science, innovation, service delivery, and collaborative action. The Agency collaborates closely with all levels of government, non-government organizations, and international partners to build an effective public health system. PHAC has a strong history of addressing health threats, including collaboration on a One Health approach to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). As part of the Pan-Canadian Action Plan on AMR 2023-2027, PHAC is developing an economic pull-incentive pilot project which aims to increase access to essential antimicrobial drugs not yet market-authorized in Canada to address priority unmet public health needs.

About the Novo Nordisk Foundation

Established in Denmark in 1924, the Novo Nordisk Foundation is an enterprise foundation with philanthropic objectives. The vision of the Foundation is to improve people’s health and the sustainability of society and the planet. The Foundation’s mission is to progress research and innovation in the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic and infectious diseases as well as to advance knowledge and solutions to support a green transformation of society. www.novonordiskfonden.dk/en

About the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Italy

The Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) performs the functions and tasks incumbent on the State in matters of economic and financial policy, budgeting, public investment planning and public debt management. The Ministry’s activities include coordinating and monitoring public spending and its trends, tax policies and the tax system and state assets. Moreover, the Ministry represents the Italian Government in the main European and international economic and financial fora, performs functions related to global governance and international financial cooperation, maintains relations with international economic, monetary, and financial institutions (such as the IMF, OECD, and Multilateral Development Banks), and negotiates and concludes international agreements and treaties with economic and financial content.

About the Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW)

MHLW is a ministry of the Government of Japan whose missions are to improve and promote social welfare, social security, and public health in order to secure and improve the livelihoods of the people and contribute to economic development. Recognizing the urgent global public health threat posed by AMR, MHLW has been supporting various domestic and international efforts to advance research and development of antimicrobials. MHLW has committed to providing contributions to CARB-X from 2024 to 2026.

About Boston University

Founded in 1839, Boston University is an internationally recognized institution of higher education and research. With nearly 37,000 students, it is one of the largest private residential universities in the United States. BU consists of 17 schools and colleges, along with the Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences and a number of multi-disciplinary centers and institutes integral to the University’s research and teaching mission. In 2012, BU joined the Association of American Universities (AAU), a consortium of leading research universities in the United States and Canada. For further information, please contact Kim Miragliuolo at kmira@bu.edu. www.bu.edu