Novel Antibiotics
"Overall, the antibacterial agents, especially the innovative ones, in the clinical pipeline combined with those approved in the last seven years are still insufficient to tackle the ever-growing threat of the emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections "
Photograph/Illustration: Fig. 2: The antibiotic discovery void, https://doi.org/10.1038/s44259-025-00123-1
This section’s focus is on current strategies, tools and technologies used in discovering and developing novel antibiotics. Researchers are attacking the problem from multiple angles because no single approach is enough to overcome modern antimicrobial resistance. This section surveys and contains new findings attempting to replenish the antibiotic pipeline and armamentarium, including re-purposing of drugs intended for other diseases. In this category we will also devote attention to more fundamental findings, breakthroughs and translational research believed to have a potential impact on AMR.
Other areas & keywords in this category also covers:
- Basic Research: Discovery and mechanisms of action.
- Research & Development (R&D): Pre-clinical and clinical studies of novel antibiotic agents.
- Outsourcing: as a startup you will most likely be on the outlook for service providers that can assist and bring their capabilities and capacities at your disposal so CDMOs and regulatory information will appear here also
If you are engaged in developing novel therapeutics you might wish to take a peek at our eSolutions, mHealth & HealthIT for additional inspiration. Said category covers the growing field of AI supported innovation.
Are you searching for funding by means of soft money you may be interested in our Service section’s Funds & Grants category. News and information on equity investment opportunities are placed in Matchmaking and Partnering.
News
View allAnthropic acquires a one-person biotech that used Claude to coordinate 11 labs
Abstract
A 2025 graduate of Harvard's joint MS/MBA biotechnology program, he previously worked at Prime Medicine, a Cambridge-based gene-editing company developing therapies based on prime editing, and at Casdin Capital, a New York life-sciences investment firm focused on biotech and genomics. Mithril's team designed and oversaw the experiments, contract laboratories produced the antibodies, measured their binding, ran cell-based assays and conducted the mouse studies. Researchers assigned treatment by litter without randomization and tested the antibody group 126 to 161 days after the control group, with a colony relocation in between. When a team member overruled its recommendation to measure how quickly all 113 bound to and detached from their targets, Claude revised the plan and related drafts to cover 89 within four minutes.Early progress on accelerating drug development with Claude
Abstract
Developing a drug involves many varied tasks: doing early research to identify a target for a drug and the right type of drug to engage it, designing a molecule with the right properties, optimizing it to be manufactured reliably at scale, drafting the regulatory filings needed to run clinical trials, designing and administering those trials, and much more. First, it lets us better understand the strengths and limitations of our models in relation to a much wider range of drug development tasks (we've already prioritized specific improvements to our models based on what we've learned so far). One design was about 70% shorter than the standard version, and in lab tests it was more effective: it allowed immune cells to make roughly 10 times as many receptors (the proteins they use to spot cancer cells), it killed tumor cells more efficiently, and the immune cells remained active for longer. BigHat's scientists and an Anthropic researcher worked with Claude to improve these three properties in two leads, both antibody fragments that could become parts of future drugs: one designed to target cancer cells, and one designed to keep a drug in the body longer.Vaccines could be about to revolutionise acne treatments
Abstract
It can lead to the development of depression, social isolation and other psychological outcomes as well." It has been known for decades that acne is linked to the presence of a bacterium called Cutibacterium acnes, which thrives deep in hair follicles where there is little oxygen. Sanofi has now developed an mRNA vaccine that targets CAMP, possibly along with some other C. acnes proteins – the company hasn't revealed exactly what's in the vaccine and, after much back and forth, declined to talk to me about it. That said, while these initial trials are primarily intended to establish safety, it should be clear to volunteers within weeks if it is making a difference to their acne – this isn't like a normal vaccine trial where researchers have to wait months or years for people to be exposed to pathogens. The team then went to show that a vaccine that stimulates the production of antibodies targeting only the large-chunks form of hyaluronidase could reduce acne in mice, as could inhibiting the enzyme with a small protein."Alphabet's GV is one of biotech's most influential corporate investors
Abstract
The corporate investor arms of Eli Lilly, Sanofi and Pfizer have participated in billions worth of venture capital rounds, but GV is the industry's biggest spender. Lilly USA is the most prolific dealmaker in life sciences VC, participating in 38 total deals since January 1, but the total worth of these transactions was lower than GV's spend, at a cumulative $2.5 billion. Other major corporate VC actors in the pharma industry include Sanofi Ventures, which participated in 30 deals for a cumulative $3.7 billion, and Pfizer Ventures, which notched 18 deals for $1.3 billion. Fundraisings have slowed in the third quarter but the bank predicts the trend will push 2026 to $33 billion, topping last year's $30.5 billion.The first-ever AI-designed bacteriophage has been administered to a human patient under FDA compassionate use
Abstract
However, to fully realize the potential of phage therapy, we must bridge the evidence gap, in particular on clinical efficacy. That's why I'm looking forward to the upcoming EMA/EC Workshop on Bacteriophage Therapy (30 October), which will bring together regulators, scientists, and clinicians to discuss the latest evidence and regulatory pathways. 🔗 EMA/EC Phage Workshop Details https://lnkd.in/evKJR46H The new EU pharmaceutical legislation includes important provisions to support the development and approval of personalized treatments like phage therapy, paving the way for innovative solutions to address antimicrobial resistance. 🔗 EU Pharma Legislation Overview https://lnkd.in/ee87f9p8 As we continue to innovate, bridging the evidence gap and fostering regulatory alignment will be key to unlocking the full potential of non-traditional therapies.
