CARB-X is a global non-profit partnership accelerating the early-stage development of innovative products to prevent, diagnose, and treat bacterial infections. CARB-X funds therapeutics (hit-to-lead through first-in-human), preventatives (validation/optimization of the antigen through first-in-human) and diagnostics (feasibility through alpha-prototype development). Relevant 2026 funding themes include:

• Direct-acting therapeutics for infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria for UTI
• CARB-X Novel Chemistry for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Challenge – target based therapeutics
  • Seeks novel chemistry plans against validated AMR targets (hit-to-lead and lead optimization stages)
  • Must focus on one of five structurally enabled targets (ribosome, penicillin-binding proteins, type II topoisomerases, LpxH, LoICDE)

Expression of interest due November 23, 2026.