CARB-X funds TAXIS PHARMACEUTICALS to accelerate development of innovative efflux pump inhibitors (EPIS), a new drug class that would impair bacteria’s ability to fight antibiotics

CARB-X is awarding TAXIS Pharmaceuticals of Monmouth Junction, New Jersey, USA, up to US$3.2 million in non-dilutive funding to develop efflux pump inhibitors (EPI), a new drug class designed to destroy a major mechanism of multi-drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. TAXIS is eligible for an additional funding of up to $11.4 million if the project achieves certain milestones. TAXIS’ EPIs are designed to disable the bacteria’s efflux pumps, which act like bilge pumps to flush out antibiotics from the bacterial cell in order to safeguard the superbug from the effects of antibiotics.