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Seeking therapeutics, preventatives, and diagnostic projects in four distinct product themes targeting drug-resistant infections worldwide
(BOSTON: February 26, 2026) – Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) announced today a funding solicitation targeting the global burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The CARB-X 2026 funding round includes four distinct product themes:
- DIRECT-ACTING THERAPEUTICS FOR INFECTIONS CAUSED BY GRAM-NEGATIVE BACTERIA
The scope is restricted to direct-acting therapeutics, defined as molecules whose confirmed activity against a specific bacterial target inhibits viability in in vitro culture. Molecules with non-specific activity against bacterial membranes or nucleic acids are not within scope. Potentiator strategies requiring combination with additional molecules (including, but not limited to, BLIs, efflux inhibitors, membrane permeators) or reliance on host immune mechanisms are not within scope. Applications describing compounds with whole cell activity against Gram-positive bacteria that is mediated through a conserved target also present in Gram-negative bacteria are within scope.
- CARB-X NOVEL CHEMISTRY FOR AMR CHALLENGE – TARGET BASED THERAPEUTICS
This funding theme seeks proposals to generate novel chemistry scaffolds with activity against validated bacterial targets. Eligible applications must focus 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.
- NON-VACCINE APPROACHES TO PREVENT NEONATAL SEPSIS
The scope is restricted to non-vaccine approaches to prevent neonatal sepsis caused by at least one of four key pathogens: Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus. Administration to pregnant women and neonates is in scope. For monoclonal antibody applications, the nature of the antigen should be known and included in the application. Projects targeting dual indications, such as a commercially viable indication in addition to neonatal sepsis, will be accepted.
- DIAGNOSTICS FOR NEONATAL SEPSIS
Consistent with our “Aligned by Design” strategy, we seek rapid, low-complexity triage diagnostics to support the growing portfolio of products to improve the patient care pathway of neonatal sepsis. Time-to-result and cost-of-goods are key criteria, and small sample volumes are critical for this patient population.
GLOBAL BURDEN
Infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria are increasingly difficult to treat, posing a rising threat from AMR. Recent estimates show that a regular release of new, potent antibiotics targeting Gram-negative bacteria, which is part of CARB-X’s mission, could avert 11.1 million cumulative deaths caused by AMR in the coming 25 years, with the largest reductions in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) regions in South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia and Oceania, and sub-Saharan Africa. The economic benefits would also be significant: introducing new Gram-negative antibiotics would reduce health care costs by US$84 billion per year and generate improved health outcomes worth US$174 billion annually by 2050.
Neonatal sepsis also represents a significant global public health burden. The BARNARDS study estimated that 2.5 million neonates or infants in the first month of life die annually of sepsis. Neonatal sepsis morbidity and mortality in LMICs is particularly high, with an estimated 3 million cases and 570,00 neonatal deaths globally per year. Since neonatal sepsis progresses rapidly, it requires immediate treatment with IV fluids and antibiotics. The risk of death from neonatal sepsis increases 7.6% every hour a treatment is delayed.
“CARB-X’s funding rounds are strategically designed, focusing on alignment with the areas of greatest unmet need and global public health impact,” said Richard Alm, Interim Chief of R&D at CARB-X. “By focusing on priority Gram-negative bacteria, novel chemistry, and neonatal sepsis, we are directing innovation toward syndromes that drive the highest morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This disciplined, burden-driven approach ensures that CARB-X derisks innovation that is positioned for real-world impact.”
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Target product profiles and minimal entry criteria for each theme will be defined and available on CARB-X.org. Expressions of interest may be submitted from 8 April 2026 at 10:00 ET – 22 April 2026 at 23:59 ET. Two public webinars will be held on 9 and 10 April to discuss the scope of the funding round, application process, and to answer questions. Register for the CARB-X newsletter to receive updates.
Applicants from around the globe are encouraged to apply, including from areas where the burden of antibiotic resistance is high. Academic centers and non-commercial developers are also encouraged, if they can demonstrate similar capabilities expected of a drug development industry partner. Applications will be reviewed by external experts, and final funding decisions are made by CARB-X.
When CARB-X was founded in 2016, the early-stage antibacterial pipeline was stalled. Since its inception, CARB-X has supported 122 R&D projects in 14 countries, and CARB-X product developers have made significant progress: 24 projects have advanced into or completed clinical trials; 14 remain active in late-stage clinical development; 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 LMICs.
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 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 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 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 $2.7 billion in antimicrobial products since 2010. This investment has supported the development of over 190 antimicrobial products and led to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of six new antibiotics and FDA 510(k) clearance of 10 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 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