Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) is a global nonprofit partnership focused on supporting the development of new antibacterial products. Its mission is to strengthen the pipeline of vaccines, rapid diagnostics, antibiotics and non-traditional products to prevent, diagnose and treat life-threatening bacterial infections.[1]
CARB-X was launched in summer of 2016 at the Boston University School of Law, where Kevin Outterson, CARB-X Executive Director and Professor of Law, teaches health law, corporate law, and co-directs the Health Law Program.[2]
Bacteria are constantly evolving to evade death. Even the most powerful "last resort" drugs are becoming less effective due to resistance.[3] Without an arsenal of effective antibiotics to treat infections, modern medical procedures – such as chemotherapy and surgeries – are more risky and put patients' lives at risk.[4] Approximately 1.27 million people died [5] globally in 2019 due to drug-resistant bacterial infections. CARB-X supports projects that are focused on the most dangerous bacteria[6] identified by the World Health Organization (WHO)[7] and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) priority lists.[8]
On average, it costs more than $1 billion and takes 1–15 years to develop a new antibiotic for use in patients. [9] A strong economic model to incentivize a steady supply of new antibiotics does not exist. Without enough revenue to recover research and development expenses, small antibiotic companies have been filing for bankruptcy, and large pharmaceutical companies are shuttering their antibiotics divisions.[10] New economic models, support from organizations like CARB-X, and increased investment are needed to drive innovation.
CARB-X receives funding from four governments and two nonprofit organizations. These include the US Department of Health and Human Services Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR); Wellcome Trust, a global charitable foundation; Germany's Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF); the UK Government's Global Antimicrobial Resistance Innovation Fund (UK GAMRIF); the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; and the government of Canada. CARB-X also receives in-kind support from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH).[11]
In its first five years, from 2016 to 2021, CARB-X awarded $361 million to 92 projects.[12] In 2022, BARDA and Wellcome renewed committed renewed funding up to an additional $370 million to CARB-X.[13] In 2023, the German and UK governments renewed funding to CARB-X, committing an additional €41 million[14] and £24 million,[15] and the government of Canada joined as the newest member,[16] committing CAD$6.3 million over two years.
In addition to awarding non-dilutive funding, CARB-X partners with a Global Accelerator Network (GAN) of experts who offer product developers advice on a range of issues, including drug development, business strategy, policy and regulatory affairs.[17]