Bioversys partners with Hackensack to develop antibiotics for NTM treatments
Collaboration targets hard-to-treat infections affecting people with CF
Written by |
Bioversys has entered into an exclusive collaboration and license agreement with Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) and its Center for Discovery and Innovation to advance a novel class of antibiotics targeting hard-to-treat nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections, an important concern for people with cystic fibrosis (CF).
Under the agreement, the parties will jointly develop novel ansamycin antibiotics that originate from HMH, a not-for-profit healthcare network in New Jersey. HMH will be eligible for upfront and near-term payments, as well as royalties on any future sales.
Partnership expands development of ansamycin antibiotics for NTM
“Early-stage partnerships with leading institutes and health centers from around the world grants us access to the best science to strengthen our Ansamycin Chemistry platform from which we aim to develop new clinical candidates,” Marc Gitzinger, CEO at Bioversys, said in a company press release.
Bioversys said the deal adds novel ansamycin chemistry and advanced lead molecules developed by a Center for Discovery and Innovation team at HMH in collaboration with the University of Minnesota. Those assets are expected to complement the company’s existing ansamycin chemistry platform and expand its pool of orally bioavailable anti-NTM leads.
“We are pleased to be working with the team of Profs. Thomas Dick and Véronique Dartois, and the world-renowned Hackensack Meridian Health. This collaboration emphasizes our determination to tackle NTM diseases, which are some of the most difficult bacterial diseases to cure. We strive to bring benefit to vulnerable populations at a higher risk of developing infections, like the 105,000 people known to be living with cystic fibrosis and the [approximately] 400 million patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),” Gitzinger said.
NTM are environmental bacteria (commonly found in soil, dust, and water) that can cause chronic lung infections, particularly in people with underlying lung diseases such as CF, bronchiectasis, and COPD. They are related to the bacteria that cause tuberculosis.
“NTM infections remain a ‘silent’ crisis for patients with chronic lung conditions, who often face grueling, year-long treatments with limited success. By merging our CDI discoveries with BioVersys’ clinical expertise, we are moving closer to providing these patients with the potent, oral therapeutic options they have been waiting for,” Dick said.
“We look forward to bringing our advanced lead molecules to the next stage in this partnership. They are the product of a long and successful collaboration with the group of Dr. Courtney Aldrich and Tian Lan at the University of Minnesota,” Dick added.
Ansamycin platform produces promising oral anti-NTM leads
Bioversys said its ansamycin chemistry platform has already generated several advanced, highly potent, orally bioavailable broad-spectrum anti-NTM lead molecules with in vitro and in vivo activity. Those lead molecules are now being jointly progressed toward candidate selection with Shionogi as part of the BV500 program.
Bioversys has previously received funds from the CF AMR Syndicate in the U.K. for its NTM program.
“We are delighted to enter into a partnership with HMH. This collaboration brings together world-renowned experts in antimicrobial research and expands BioVersys’ Ansamycin Chemistry platform, supporting the company’s commitment to advancing innovative treatments for infectious diseases where there is a clear unmet medical need,” said Daniel Ritz, chief scientific officer at Bioversys.
CF is characterized by the production of thick, sticky mucus in the lungs and other organs, which makes it easier for hard-to-treat infections to take hold. Research shows that NTM lung infections are rising among CF patients in the U.S. and elsewhere.
