BARDA BARDA awarded an initial $29 million under an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) to Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd. Allschwil, to develop two anti-fungal therapeutics, Fosmanogepix and BAL2062, both with the potential to treat drug-resistant invasive fungal infections. Additional funding could be awarded by BARDA if contract options are exercised. Under the terms of the OTA BARDA will support the development of designated novel, first-in-class antifungals and antibacterials in Basilea’s antimicrobial pipeline. Fosmanogepix and BAL2062 are the first antifungals to enter the BARDA portfolio and will address the urgent need for novel drugs to treat fungal infections that might arise following a mass casualty incident, such as a radiological or nuclear incident.
Patients who survive a mass casualty emergency, such as a radiological or nuclear incident, will be more susceptible to acquiring fungal infections. In addition, the emerging threat of drug-resistant fungal infections complicates patient recovery and the medical and public health response.