Prokaryotics Receives SBIR Phase II Award Supporting Development of a Mechanistically Novel Combination Product to Treat Acinetobacter baumannii infections

Union, NJ – August 27, 2022 -- Prokaryotics, Inc., a privately-held biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of mechanistically novel anti-infective drugs, announced today that it has been awarded an SBIR Phase II grant (1R44 AI165008-01A1) valued at up to $2,618,000 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The 3.5-year agreement will fund Prokaryotics’ goal of developing its mechanistically novel bacterial cell wall inhibitor in combination with clinically used or novel polymyxin cell envelope permeabilizers to treat life-threatening A. baumannii infections.

Acinetobacter infections have risen dramatically over the last decade, prompting the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to declare the bacterial pathogen an urgent threat requiring immediate action. Polymyxins serve as the antibiotic of last resort to treat such infections. By leveraging the potent synergist action between polymyxins and our mechanistically novel antibiotic lead, such a combination product may improve the efficacy and safety of this important antibiotic class. We are extremely grateful to NIAID and the NIH for their continued support in our quest to discover and develop mechanistically new antibiotics to treat multidrug resistant microbes.
-- Dr. Terry Roemer, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Prokaryotics, Inc.

Northern Antibiotics Oy (Ltd.), headquartered in Espoo, Finland, is a world leader in the development of next generation polymyxins to address antimicrobial resistance. Polymyxins remain therapeutically essential to treat the most serious multidrug resistant bacterial infections, however, innovative strategies to improving their effectiveness and safety is paramount. We at Northern Antibiotics are excited to see the progress made in this project and very much look forward to its further development. It is a privilege to collaborate with Prokaryotics. They have it all – talent, dedication, and an awesome drive.
-- Mr. Timo Vaara, Co-Founder, Vice President of Business Development of Northern Antibiotics Oy (Ltd.).

About Prokaryotics, Inc.
Prokaryotics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company founded on Merck & Co. out-licensed antibiotic assets under development to treat life-threatening AMR bacterial infections. Prokaryotics leverages its deep expertise in bacterial physiology, medicinal chemistry, collaborative spirit, and scientific passion to discover and develop new classes of antibiotics targeting outer membrane biogenesis – the fundamental armor erected by bacteria to naturally withstand the effects of antibiotics and innate immunity.

Media Contact:
Holly Sutterlin
908 737-1922 x124
hsutterlin@prokaryotics.com