CARB-X (Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator) yesterday announced an award of $3.3 million to Pittsburgh-based Peptilogics to develop a slow-release version of its investigational, broad-spectrum therapeutic for joint-related infections.
The funding will help Peptilogics develop and execute a workplan for zaloganan-CR, a controlled-release formulation of the anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm peptide the company is developing for prosthetic joint infections. Zaloganan, which was supported by a CARB-X award in 2020 and is currently in phase 1 clinical trials, works by targeting and disrupting bacterial membranes and has demonstrated broad-spectrum activity against a wide range of pathogens.
The new award aims to extend the use of zaloganan to prevent infections in open fractures, lacerations, and burns, which can be biofilm-based and resistant to standard antibiotics and eventually develop into more serious bloodstream infections.
“Peptilogics’ development of zaloganan-CR offers the potential for a promising solution to combat fracture-related infections, which are a leading factor in patient complications and rising healthcare expenses,” Erin Duffy, PhD, chief of research and development (R&D) at CARB-X, said in a press release. “With its broad-spectrum activity and targeted delivery, zaloganan-CR has the potential to transform infection prevention in high-trauma injuries.”Â
A ‘staggeringly large’ problem
Company officials say zaloganan-CR has the potential to reduce the long-term clinical and economic impact of fracture-related infections (FRIs), which are a particular challenge in low- and middle-income countries.
“This additional funding allows us to accelerate our prevention program by addressing bloodstream infection linked to FRI, which is still a staggeringly large problem in surgical patient care,” said Peptilogics CEO Jonathan Steckbeck, PhD. “By tackling this problem, we will not only be advancing the science of infection prevention but also pave the way to deliver a new generation of breakthrough products to patients in need.”
Since its founding in 2016, CARB-X has supported 106 early-stage antibiotic, diagnostic, and vaccine projects in 13 countries.
