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Cidara Therapeutics and Rutgers University Awarded $5.5 Million Grant from NIH to Support Development of Novel Immunotherapy Agents Targeting Multi-drug Resistant Gram-negative Bacterial Infections
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The grant will fund the continued research and development of Cidara’s innovative Cloudbreak™ antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) platform to identify novel immunotherapy agents for the treatment and prevention of serious and life-threatening multi-drug resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacterial infections in high-risk patient populations. The Cloudbreak immunotherapy platform is a fundamentally new approach for the treatment of infectious disease that, in a single molecule, pairs potent antimicrobials with agents that redirect the immune system to destroy fungal, bacterial and viral pathogens.
“Treatment options for Gram-negative bacterial infections have become
increasingly limited due to the rapid emergence of multi-drug resistance
to existing and newly approved antimicrobial agents,” said
The initial preclinical development activities covered by the grant will
be conducted at the
“Preliminary studies have identified promising ADCs that possess both intrinsic and immune-mediated bactericidal activity against clinically important Gram-negative pathogens including MDR isolates,” said Dr. Perlin. “I believe that a novel ADC agent could be a much-needed and welcome addition to the Gram-negative therapeutic arsenal. I look forward to advancing Cidara’s ADC Cloudbreak program as part of this NIH/NIAID partnership grant.”
About Gram-negative Bacterial Infections
Gram-negative pathogens are responsible for half of all healthcare
associated infections (HAIs) and the primary cause of HAIs in intensive
care units (ICU).
About NIAID and NIH
About
Cidara is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing
new anti-infectives that have the potential to transform the standard of
care and save or improve patients’ lives. The company is currently
advancing its novel echinocandin antifungal, rezafungin acetate,
formerly known as CD101 IV, through clinical trials. Rezafungin has
improved pharmacokinetics compared to existing echinocandins and the
potential for expanded utility across patient settings. It is the only
once-weekly product candidate in development for the treatment and
prevention of life-threatening invasive fungal infections. The company’s
Phase 2 STRIVE clinical trial of rezafungin met its primary safety and
efficacy objectives, and Cidara plans to initiate Phase 3 pivotal trials
in the treatment of candidemia and invasive candidiasis and the
prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections in 2018. Cidara also is
leveraging its novel Cloudbreak™ platform to develop antibody-drug
conjugates for the treatment of multi-drug resistant Gram-negative
bacterial infections. Cloudbreak is the first immunotherapy discovery
platform designed specifically to create compounds that directly kill
pathogens and also direct a patient’s immune cells to attack and
eliminate bacterial, fungal or viral pathogens. Cidara is headquartered
in
About
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are
not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such
statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may
differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited
to, the potential for the full grant proceeds to be received and used by
Research reported in this publication was supported by the National
Institute of Allergy And Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes
of Health under Award Number R01AI138986. The content is solely the
responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the
official views of the
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180521005527/en/
Source:
Cidara Therapeutics, Inc.
INVESTOR CONTACT:
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Robert H. Uhl
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MEDIA
CONTACTS:
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Christy Curran
615-414-8668
ChristyCurran@sambrown.com
or
Rutgers,
The State University of New Jersey
Patti Verbanas
University
News & Media Relations
848-932-0551
verbanpa@ucm.rutgers.edu