The Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) has announced a collaboration with Bugworks Research Inc (Bugworks), an Indian-USA-Australian biopharmaceutical group developing new treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections.

GARDP and Bugworks have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which puts in place a framework to enable Bugworks and GARDP to work together with the objectives of maximizing the resources and impact of both organizations to accelerate the development and availability of lifesaving treatments. This includes working together for the preparation of regulatory strategies, in particular for clinical development programmes and post-approval studies.

“This Memorandum of Understanding with Bugworks recognizes the significant role of India in pharmaceutical research and development,” said Jean-Pierre Paccaud, GARDP Director of Business Development and Corporate Strategy. “It is an important opportunity to explore synergies in the development of urgently needed treatments for drug-resistant infections.”

“Bugworks has the dual advantage of doing research and development in India, which has a high burden of drug-resistant infections, while still being able to work with the best research organizations all over the world,” said Dr Santanu Datta, Bugworks co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer. “Through our collaboration with GARDP, we are uniquely positioned to spearhead novel antibiotic development that serves the Indian subcontinent, the ASEAN group of countries, in addition to the EU and Americas. Importantly, our collaboration with GARDP is focused on the development of antibiotics addressing unmet needs, including for paediatric and neonatal populations.”