Novel broad-spectrum antibiotic compound prioritized for development in fight against AMR

The Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership (GARDP) and Bugworks Research Inc. have announced a collaboration agreement to co-develop an innovative compound (BWC0977) with broad-spectrum antibiotic activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria that cause life-threatening infections. GARDP will provide up to US$20 million in technical and financial support for the pharmaceutical and clinical co-development of BWC0977, while Bugworks has granted GARDP manufacturing and commercialization rights for BWC0977 in 146 countries, almost all of which are low- or middle-income (LMICs). BWC0977 has in vitro activity against a broad spectrum of pathogens that lead to serious hospital-acquired infections, including WHO critical priority pathogens, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The goal of this partnership is to enable access to BWC0977 simultaneously in Western countries and in LMICs with high AMR burden. GARDP’s technical and financial support is tied to the successful completion of key R&D milestones that align with GARDP’s public health objectives.