CARB-X launches its 2018 rounds of funding and invites applications
February 21, 2018CARB-X has announced its 2018 rounds of funding to support research into the development of antibiotics, vaccines, diagnostics, devices and other life-saving products to respond to the threat of drug-resistant bacteria.
2018 Funding Round 1 will open for Expressions of Interest on March 22 -March 29, 2018, focused on new classes of direct-acting small molecule and large molecule antibacterials that target certain Gram-negative bacteria.
This round will follow, with Expressions of Interest welcome starting on June 1 through June 8, 2018. Round 2 funding includes direct-acting therapeutics and covers a broader scope of therapeutics, vaccines, diagnostics and devices that meet certain criteria, CARB-X has said.
“The scope of each funding cycle has been carefully designed to meet the most urgent needs in the global pipeline to treat drug-resistant bacterial infections and respond to the rising threat of drug resistant bacteria,” said Kevin Outterson, Executive Director of CARB-X.
CARB-X noted that last year it had 24 grants totaling $60.0 million to help fund early development antibacterial projects, plus an additional $75.25 million if project milestones are met. These funds are in addition to investments by the companies. The level of funding for each project is tailored to its scope and stage, is reimbursement-based, and is distributed according to milestone achievement.
The scope for each 2018 round is highly specific. In addition, applicants for both rounds must be going concerns (financially solvent companies or research teams with funding in place for operations for at least 12 months) and also own or have rights to the intellectual property required to carry out the project.
CARB-X funding is part of an overall commitment of up to US$455m by the US government and Wellcome Trust over a five-year period from 2016-2021. Responsible use of existing antibiotics and equitable access, particularly in low-income countries where need is greatest, is also vital to address the global health problem. Both are a condition of CARB-X funding. CARB-X is actively seeking global support from other governments, industry and civil society to expand its ability to fund the best science around the world to get the new life-saving treatments so urgently needed.
CARB-X welcomes applications from around the world.
