Bioversys AG and Aptuit Announce Collaboration to Identify Novel Approaches to Treat Serious Infections from Gram-Negative Pathogens

BASEL, Switzerland and GREENWICH, Connecticut, March 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Bioversys AG and Aptuit today announced the start of a joint collaboration aimed at the identification and validation of novel targets and molecules for Gram-negative bacteria.  Aptuit and BioVersys hope that innovative approaches can address antibiotic resistance in the treatment of serious infections.

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BioVersys is focused on the development of small molecules interfering with transcriptional regulation of bacteria, thus addressing novel targets to overcome the threat caused by antibiotic resistance. BioVersys provides one of its most innovative targets focused on Gram-negative pathogens into this collaboration.

Aptuit will provide deep expertise in integrated infectious disease drug discovery, including in vitro and in vivo capabilities, complementing the scientific platform and expertise demonstrated by Bioversys in the transcriptional regulator area.

Dr Marc Gitzinger, CEO, Bioversys, commented: "We are excited to collaborate with Aptuit on this project as they have a proven track record in antibacterial drug discovery. At BioVersys we focus on the continuous development of our TRIC technology and on new targets to address the global health threat caused by multi-drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. In Aptuit, we found a strong partner to support us in further developing our innovative therapies".

Dr Jonathan Goldman, CEO, Aptuit, added: "I am delighted that Aptuit has been selected to support the development of Bioversys' innovative project pipeline. This is the result of our continued investment and collaborative approach in this research field. As a Partner Research Organization we are fully committed to leveraging our expertise in the renewed challenge associated to the discovery of new effective therapeutics against MDR Gram-negative pathogens".

About Aptuit 

Aptuit provides the most complete set of integrated early discovery to mid-phase drug development services in the pharmaceutical industry including Drug Design & Discovery, API Development and Manufacture, Solid State Chemistry, CMC, Preclinical and IND enabling GLP/GMP programs. Fully integrated drug discovery & development services are available from our facilities in the UK, Italy, and Switzerland.  

Aptuit Holdings, LLC is partnered with Welsh, Carson, and Anderson & Stowe, one of the world's leading private equity investors.  

For more information, please visit http://www.aptuit.com

About Bioversys 

BioVersys focuses on research and development of small molecules, which interfere with bacterial resistance mechanisms. With the company's award-winning TRIC technology it will be possible to restore the efficacy of established antibiotics. By this means BioVersys addresses the high medical need for new treatments against life-threatening bacterial infections that emerged in recent years due to the resistance of bacterial strains against existing antibiotics. BioVersys' compounds will be used in combination with existing antibiotics, thereby renewing efficacy of the established drug. The current research focus is Nosocomial Infections (hospital infections) and Tuberculosis.  In collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and a consortium of the University of Lille, BioVersys is currently developing a preclinical candidate for the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. 

For more information, please visit http://www.bioversys.com