Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) announced a funding solicitation targeting the global burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The CARB-X 2026 funding round includes four distinct product themes:
- DIRECT-ACTING THERAPEUTICS FOR INFECTIONS CAUSED BY GRAM-NEGATIVE BACTERIA
The scope is restricted to direct-acting therapeutics, defined as molecules whose confirmed activity against a specific bacterial target inhibits viability in in vitro culture. Molecules with non-specific activity against bacterial membranes or nucleic acids are not within scope. Potentiator strategies requiring combination with additional molecules (including, but not limited to, BLIs, efflux inhibitors, membrane permeators) or reliance on host immune mechanisms are not within scope. Applications describing compounds with whole cell activity against Gram-positive bacteria that is mediated through a conserved target also present in Gram-negative bacteria are within scope.
- CARB-X NOVEL CHEMISTRY FOR AMR CHALLENGE – TARGET BASED THERAPEUTICS
This funding theme seeks proposals to generate novel chemistry scaffolds with activity against validated bacterial targets. Eligible applications must focus on one of the following five structurally enabled molecular targets: the clinically validated broad-spectrum targets of the ribosome, penicillin-binding proteins, and Type II topoisomerases; and the pre-clinically validated Gram-negative targets LpxH and LolCDE. Applicants must be able to synthesize analogs at sufficient scale to enter a defined biology testing cascade that will be made available to help evaluate the compounds.
- NON-VACCINE APPROACHES TO PREVENT NEONATAL SEPSIS
The scope is restricted to non-vaccine approaches to prevent neonatal sepsis caused by at least one of four key pathogens: Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus. Administration to pregnant women and neonates is in scope. For monoclonal antibody applications, the nature of the antigen should be known and included in the application. Projects targeting dual indications, such as a commercially viable indication in addition to neonatal sepsis, will be accepted.
- DIAGNOSTICS FOR NEONATAL SEPSIS
CARB-X is seeking rapid, low-complexity triage diagnostics to support the growing portfolio of products to improve the patient care pathway of neonatal sepsis. Time-to-result and cost-of-goods are key criteria, and small sample volumes are critical for this patient population.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Target product profiles and minimal entry criteria for each theme will be defined and available on CARB-X.org. Expressions of interest may be submitted from 8 April 2026 at 10:00 ET – 22 April 2026 at 23:59 ET. Two public webinars will be held on 9 and 10 April to discuss the scope of the funding round, application process, and to answer questions. Register for the CARB-X newsletter to receive updates.
Further details are available in the Funding Portal
ILSE is one of the three members of the CARB-X Global Accelerator Network who provide one-of-a-kind source of knowhow and expertise in antibacterial drug development, diagnostics, business strategy and other areas essential to supporting CARB-X’s growing portfolio of early development research projects.
