Venus Remedies has secured an exclusive licensing agreement with UK-based Infex Therapeutics to spearhead the clinical development of MET-X, a breakthrough metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) inhibitor designed to combat antimicrobial resistance. The partnership focuses initially on combining MET-X with meropenem to fight drug-resistant gram-negative bacteria, with Venus holding exclusive marketing rights in India.
Critical Need in Indian Healthcare
The timing of this development is crucial, as India faces severe challenges with antibiotic resistance. According to the ICMR's Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Surveillance Network's 2023 report, meropenem resistance rates reach alarming levels of 62-87% in WHO critical priority pathogens such as K. pneumoniae and A. baumannii. Notably, half of these cases are directly attributed to MBL prevalence.
Development Pipeline and Clinical Trials
The development program will begin with Phase I trials in India, evaluating the MET-X-meropenem combination in healthy volunteers. Following successful initial results, the research will advance to Phase II/III trials, targeting drug-resistant complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) commonly found in hospital settings.
All clinical trials will maintain international standards, adhering to FDA, EMA, and MHRA regulations, facilitating future global commercialization efforts. The agreement includes provisions for both companies to expand their collaboration to other MET-X/beta-lactam combinations under mutually agreed terms.
Innovative Mechanism of Action
MET-X represents a significant advancement in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. As a broad-spectrum MBL-inhibitor, it specifically targets gram-negative bacteria that produce MBL enzymes to deactivate beta-lactam antibiotics. By blocking MBL resistance, MET-X restores antibiotic activity, potentially offering a solution for various bacterial species and MBL-resistant strains.
Strategic Significance
"This early-stage introduction of MET-X into the Indian market leverages our decades-long dedication to AMR-focused R&D and our prominent role in critical care and antibiotic therapies," stated Saransh Chaudhary, president of global critical care at Venus Remedies and CEO of Venus Medicine Research Centre.
Pawan Chaudhary, chairman and managing director of Venus Remedies, emphasized the broader implications: "The in-licensing of MET-X is a major step forward in providing breakthrough solutions for drug-resistant infections, a serious threat to India's healthcare ecosystem."
Dr. Peter Jackson, CEO of Infex Therapeutics, highlighted the global potential: "MET-X has shown best-in-class performance in preclinical studies and could be game-changing for patients suffering from gram-negative, MBL-resistant infections. The international standards of these trials will support future regulatory filings in the UK, US, Europe, and other global markets."
