Prokaryotics and Basilea begin collaboration to develop broad‑spectrum antifungal

Prokaryotics and Basilea announced a joint program to develop a novel broad‑spectrum antifungal aimed at severe invasive infections caused by Candida, Aspergillus and rare molds; Basilea will fund development and hold an exclusive global license after a clinical candidate is selected, and Prokaryotics may receive milestone payments and royalties.

Prokaryotics Inc. and Basilea Pharmaceutica announced a collaboration to jointly develop a first‑in‑class broad‑spectrum antifungal for severe invasive infections. The program focuses on molecules with a novel mode of action designed to address infections caused by Candida, Aspergillus and rare molds. Basilea will take responsibility for clinical development and global commercialization after a clinical candidate is selected. The companies reported undisclosed upfront and near‑term milestone payments as part of the agreement. Key points: - The collaboration targets a mechanistically novel class of broad‑spectrum antifungals for life‑threatening invasive infections. - The program is reported to target Candida (including Candida albicans and Candida auris), Aspergillus fumigatus, and a broader spectrum of rare molds. - Basilea will provide an undisclosed upfront payment and near‑term milestone payments; after a clinical candidate is chosen, Basilea will lead clinical development and hold an exclusive global license. - Prokaryotics would be eligible to receive up to USD 48.5 million in development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments, plus tiered low single‑digit royalties on global net sales. - The World Health Organization has emphasized the need for antifungals with novel mechanisms due to growing resistance to current therapies. Summary: The agreement pairs Prokaryotics' discovery work with Basilea's clinical and commercial capabilities to pursue a new antifungal candidate for severe invasive infections. After a clinical candidate is selected, Basilea will be responsible for moving it through clinical development and commercialization; timing for those steps was not announced and is undetermined at this time.