Millions injected into antimicrobial resistance research and development
(BOSTON: July 27, 2023) – In advance of the G7 Hiroshima Summit, where G7 leaders recognized “the rapid escalation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) globally” and reiterated their commitment to “exploring and implementing push and pull incentives to accelerate research and development (R&D) of antimicrobials,” the German government announced its renewal of funding and support for the Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X).
Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has committed an additional €41 million to CARB-X and its Global Acceleration Network over the next 4 years. In the period between 2019 and 2022, CARB-X received €39 million in funding from BMBF. Combined with funding from the US and UK governments, Wellcome and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, these partners have empowered CARB-X to create, manage and accelerate the world’s most scientifically diverse portfolio of new antibiotics, vaccines, rapid diagnostics, and non-traditional products in the early-development pipeline.
“There are more and more antibiotic-resistant bacteria worldwide, some of which are resistant to a number of antibiotics. This is why we urgently need new approaches for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these superbugs, which are becoming increasingly dangerous to humans. Therefore, the Federal Research Ministry has been supporting the international CARB-X partnership since 2019 and will continue to do so over the next four years, providing a further 39 million euros in funding as well as an additional two million euros for a CARB-X accelerator. This is how we support the global research and development of new and effective medicines and innovative approaches for antibiotic-resistant bacteria so that we can continue to successfully treat bacterial infections in the future,” said Bettina Stark-Watzinger, BMBF Federal Research Minster.
Acutely aware that AMR is an urgent health problem that requires global action, the German government has served as a role model. In 2016, it committed initial funding to the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP). In 2019, BMBF began supporting CARB-X. Last year, AMR was one of the priorities of Germany’s G7 Presidency. At the G7 Elmau Summit, the G7 leaders declared they “will spare no efforts to continue addressing this silent pandemic” and committed to “concurrently advance access to antimicrobials, strengthen research and innovation for new antibiotics in international partnerships, and incentivise the development of new antimicrobial treatments with a particular emphasis on pull incentives.” One month earlier, the G7 Health Ministers highlighted “the importance of accelerating the early- and late-stage development of urgently needed new antimicrobial drugs, vaccines, alternative therapeutics and diagnostics,” and declared that they “value and support initiatives such as CARB-X and GARDP.”
The funding announced by BMBF also supports the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and the Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI) which are part of CARB-X’s critical and unique support model that offers essential scientific, technical, regulatory, and business support to help CARB-X product developers advance their projects through clinical development.
“CARB-X plays a critical role in the fight against the growing threat of drug-resistant infectious diseases, and its work will enable us to improve the lives of countless patients worldwide,” said Professor Dirk H. Busch, MD, DZIF Executive Board. “The DZIF is proud to be an essential part of CARB-X. The DZIF Product Development Unit has contributed to CARB-X efforts since 2019, and is scientifically and regulatory involved in several CARB-X funded projects. Through our collaboration with leading global institutions like CARB-X, we look forward to continuing to strengthen the global research and development of innovative and life-saving therapeutics and diagnostics and their translation into clinical practice.”
Since 2016, CARB-X has supported 92 R&D projects in 12 countries, and CARB-X product developers have made tremendous progress: 18 projects have advanced into or completed clinical trials; 12 remain active in clinical development, including late-stage clinical trials; and two diagnostic products have reached the market. Additionally, at least 9 product developers with active R&D projects have already secured advanced development partnerships which can help support their clinical development after leaving the CARB-X portfolio.
Most CARB-X companies are small, led by 5 to 20 people. They are skilled in the company’s foundational technology, but not necessarily in drug discovery and development. “Our subject matter experts, including DZIF, and our in-house R&D team help them think through a variety of issues, such as workflow, plan of attack, product profiles, and approaches to regulators. We are grateful that BMBF understands how critical this mentorship is to help CARB-X product developers accelerate their projects to patients as soon as possible,” said Erin Duffy, PhD, Chief of R&D at CARB-X.
CARB-X is funded in part with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority; under Agreement number: 75A50122C00028. CARB-X is also funded by awards from Wellcome (WT224842), Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the UK Global Antimicrobial Resistance Innovation Fund (GAMRIF) funded by the UK Government Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The content of this press release is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of any CARB-X funders.
CARB-X Contact: Robin Berghaus, 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 drug-resistant bacteria highlighted on the CDC’s Antibiotic Resistant Threats list, or the Priority Bacterial Pathogens list published by the WHO, with a priority on those pathogens deemed Serious or Urgent on the CDC list or Critical or High on the WHO list. https://carb-x.org/ | 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 (ASPR) leads HHS in preparing the nation to respond to and recovery from the adverse health effects of emergencies, supporting communities’ ability to withstand adversity, strengthening health and response systems, and enhancing national health security. Within ASPR, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) invests in innovation, advanced research and development, acquisition, and manufacturing of medical countermeasures – vaccines, drugs, therapeutics, diagnostic tools, and non-pharmaceutical products needed to combat health security threats. 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 Education and Research (BMBF)
Education and research are crucial foundations for our future. Thus, the promotion of education, science and research is a policy priority of the German Federal Government. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) strengthens education at all stages of life and provides support for scientific research and innovation.
About the Global AMR Innovation Fund (GAMRIF)
The Global AMR Innovation Fund (GAMRIF) is a One Health UK 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 Boston University
Founded in 1839, Boston University is an internationally recognized institution of higher education and research. With nearly 37,000 students, it is the third-largest independent university in the United States. BU consists of 17 schools and colleges and the interdisciplinary Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences, along with 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 65 leading research universities in the United States and Canada. For further information, please contact Kim Miragliuolo at kmira@bu.edu. www.bu.edu