CARB-X Awards $2 Million to Immunethep for Novel E. coli Vaccine Development
Key Insights
CARB-X (search) has awarded $2 million to Immunethep (search) to develop a conjugated peptide-based vaccine (search) targeting all invasive serotypes of Escherichia coli (search), addressing a critical unmet medical need as no E. coli (search) vaccine currently exists.
The innovative vaccine platform aims to deliver robust and long-lasting immunity against E. coli (search) and potentially other dangerous pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Streptococcus species.
Invasive E. coli (search) infections represent a significant global health threat, causing bloodstream infections (search), sepsis (search), meningitis (search), and pneumonia (search), with increasing antibiotic resistance further limiting treatment options.
CARB-X (search) (Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator) has awarded $2 million to Immunethep (search) to develop a conjugated peptide-based vaccine (search) targeting all invasive serotypes of Escherichia coli (search). The funding announcement, made on February 25, 2025, represents a significant investment in addressing a critical unmet medical need, as no vaccine currently exists for E. coli (search) infections.
Novel Vaccine Platform Technology
Immunethep (search) will advance its platform technology to develop an optimized formulation capable of inducing robust and long-lasting immunity against E. coli (search). The conjugated peptide-based approach represents an innovative strategy that could have broad-spectrum capabilities, potentially preventing infections caused by multiple dangerous pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus agalactiae (search), and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
"Immunethep (search)'s conjugated peptide-based vaccine (search) for invasive E. coli (search) infections represents a promising and innovative approach to address the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance (search)," said Erin Duffy, PhD, R&D Chief of CARB-X (search). "This technology leverages a novel platform to induce robust, long-lasting immunity against E. coli and other dangerous pathogens, which could have broad implications for preventing serious infections in vulnerable populations."
Addressing a Critical Public Health Threat
Invasive E. coli (search) infections pose a significant public health threat, as certain strains can spread beyond the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream, urinary system, and other organs. These infections lead to serious and life-threatening conditions, including sepsis (search), meningitis (search), pneumonia (search), and intra-abdominal infections. E. coli ranks among the leading causes of bloodstream infections (search) globally, particularly in healthcare settings.
Vulnerable populations face the greatest risk, including the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, and those with chronic health conditions. The increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant E. coli (search) strains further reduces treatment options, highlighting the urgent need for effective preventative measures.
CARB-X's Expanding Portfolio
This award follows CARB-X (search)'s March 2024 funding solicitation designed to fill major R&D gaps in the global antibiotic development pipeline. The organization received more than 300 Expressions of Interest across four distinct product themes: therapeutics for Gram-negative pathogen infections, prevention of invasive disease, diagnostics for neonatal sepsis (search), and proof-of-concept for novel sample types for diagnosing lower-respiratory tract infections.
"We are honoured to join the CARB-X (search) portfolio and receive support for our mission to combat antimicrobial resistance (search) through the development of next generation vaccines to prevent bacterial infections," said Bruno Santos, CEO of Immunethep (search).
Global Impact of Antimicrobial Resistance
New estimates published in September 2024 reveal the devastating scope of the antimicrobial resistance (search) crisis. Projections indicate that 39 million deaths directly attributable to bacterial antimicrobial resistance will occur between 2025-2050, equivalent to three deaths every minute. However, urgent action to replenish the Gram-negative drug pipeline could avert more than 11 million deaths in the same timeframe.
Since its founding in 2016, CARB-X (search) has supported 113 R&D projects across 14 countries. The organization's portfolio has achieved significant milestones: 19 projects have advanced into or completed clinical trials, 12 remain active in clinical development including late-stage trials, and two diagnostic products have reached the market. Additionally, at least 9 product developers with active R&D projects have secured advanced development partnerships to support clinical development after leaving the CARB-X portfolio.
Commitment to Global Access
All CARB-X (search)-funded product developers are contractually obligated to develop a Stewardship and Access Plan for their products, outlining strategies to ensure responsible stewardship and appropriate access in low- and middle-income countries. This commitment aligns with the global nature of the antimicrobial resistance (search) challenge and the need for equitable access to life-saving interventions.
CARB-X (search) receives funding from multiple international sources, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Wellcome, Germany's Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the UK's Global Antimicrobial Resistance (search) Innovation Fund, the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Gates Foundation, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation.