CARB-X IS FUNDING SNIPR BIOME TO DEVELOP A CRISPR-ENGINEERED DRUG TO ERADICATE ESCHERICHIA COLI (E. COLI) BACTERIA IN CANCER PATIENTS TO PREVENT DEADLY INFECTIONS

CARB-X is awarding SNIPR BIOME ApS, a CRISPR- and microbiome-biotechnology company in Copenhagen, Denmark, up to US $3.9 million to develop an innovative new drug to prevent E. coli infections in cancer patients, which can be life-threatening. Under the award, SNIPR BIOME may be eligible for up to $6.3 million in additional funds from CARB-X if the project achieves certain milestones, subject to available funds.

SNIPR’s new lead candidate drug, SNIPR001, is in development for the prevention of infections in cancer patients with hematological malignancies, which are cancers that affect the blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. These patients are at increased risk of bloodstream infections due both to the disease and to chemotherapy treatment, with the pathogen E. coli posing a heightened risk.