Two novel investigational drugs targeting antibiotic-resistant infections move into advanced development with HHS

Two innovative, cutting-edge and potential first-in-class investigational drugs to treat antibiotic-resistant infections will move into advanced stages of development with support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Under the partnership agreements announced today, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, will provide advanced development expertise and funding to each company to support Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials and other activities required to seek approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

BARDA will provide an initial $7.36 million and up to a total of $76.9 million over nine-and-a-half years to Vedanta Biosciences, Inc., of Cambridge, Massachusetts, to support development of VE303 to prevent C. difficile infections. BARDA also will provide an initial $11 million and up to a total of $77 million over five years to Locus Biosciences of Morrisville, North Carolina, part of a $144 million program to develop LBP-EC01 to treat recurrent UTIs including those caused by antibiotic-resistant E. coli.