Polyphor develops novel antibiotics known as outer membrane protein targeting Gram-negative antibiotics (OMPTA). The company has now achieved ahead of schedule a first milestone for the development of novel broad-spectrum antibiotics against Gram-negative pathogens, which in turn has triggering ahead of schedule a first milestone payment from the Wellcome Trust in the amount of CHF 600,000.
According to a statement, the payment was made under a Seeding Drug Discovery Award of up to CHF 2.3 million that was granted in February 2017. Polphyor has already received an upfront payment of CHF 700,000.
Lead Polyphor product candidates have demonstrated excellent activity in vitro and in vivo against a range of Gram-negative pathogens, including multidrug-resistant strains. Activity has also been shown against bacteria resistant to colistin, a drug that Polyphor calls a “last resort” antibiotic.
“Reaching this milestone in our collaboration with the Wellcome Trust is a major step in our joint efforts to develop alternative treatments for serious and life-threatening infections,” said Daniel Obrecht, CSO of Polyphor.
“This milestone is yet another validation of our breakthrough antibiotic research which already resulted in Murepavadin, a precision antibiotic for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, now entering Phase III studies.”
