Glox Therapeutics, a company developing precision antibiotic therapies using naturally occurring bacteriocins, has received £1 million in grant funding from PACE (Pathways to Antimicrobial Clinical Efficacy). This funding will accelerate the development of Glox Therapeutics’ new antibiotics targeting drug-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. It will also facilitate team expansion and further collaborations with industry experts.
Glox Therapeutics is creating a new class of antimicrobials based on proprietary protein bacteriocin engineering platforms. These therapeutics precisely target specific pathogens or closely related groups to eliminate drug-resistant bacteria. Unlike traditional antibiotics, they preserve the human microbiome, leading to more effective treatment with fewer side effects.
The PACE funding will specifically support the development of narrow-spectrum antibiotics against E. coli and K. pneumoniae. These multidrug-resistant pathogens frequently cause serious illnesses like pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and recurrent urinary tract infections, contributing significantly to antimicrobial resistance (AMR)-related deaths. The initial focus will be on hospital- and ventilator-associated pneumonia.
PACE, a £30 million initiative founded in 2023 by LifeArc, Medicines Discovery Catapult, and Innovate UK, has provided funding and support to global AMR innovators for over five years. Selected projects receive funding, R&D advice, and access to a UK network of delivery partners to advance their work towards investment and clinical impact.
This grant represents a significant step in combating the global threat of AMR. It will allow Glox Therapeutics to expand its team and further develop its innovative engineered bacteriocins against two of the most dangerous pathogens. The funding acknowledges the groundbreaking potential of Glox Therapeutics’ unique technology and the expertise of their team. PACE’s collaborative approach will support the company in generating the data needed to secure future funding and advance development. This funding is also seen as a substantial boost for the company and its critical work, aligning with Scottish Enterprise’s goal of supporting high-growth businesses contributing to the Scottish economy. Glox Therapeutics’ precision antibiotics offer a novel approach to tackling the growing public health crisis of AMR, which is projected to cause significant mortality and economic burden by 2050. The company’s work builds on over 20 years of research from the Universities of Glasgow and Oxford, with backing from investors including the Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund and Scottish Enterprise.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.
