Forge Therapeutics announced today that it has entered into a research collaboration and option agreement with Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. to license FG-LpxC LUNG, a novel antibiotic for the treatment of serious lung infections attributed to antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria including Pseudomonas aeruginosa.  The FG-LpxC LUNG program is being developed, with support from CARB-X, to treat hospital-based infections which commonly occur in people with weakened immune systems and chronic lung diseases.  Under the terms of the agreement, Roche has an exclusive option to license the FG-LpxC LUNG program from Forge.  Forge will retain control of the program prior to Roche exercising its option, at which time Roche will take over the further development.  Forge is eligible to receive US$190.5M in total payments and potential sales-based payments and royalties upon commercialization of the program. This is the first CARB-X funded program to be the subject of such an agreement with a major pharmaceutical company. Forge was awarded non-dilutive funding in January 2019 from CARB-X to support development of the FG-LpxC LUNG program. CARB-X is also funding and supporting Forge’s FG-LpxC UTI program.