Basilea and Prokaryotics enter collaboration to develop a novel broad-spectrum antifungal for the treatment of severe invasive infections
Allschwil, Switzerland, January 07, 2026
Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd, Allschwil (SIX: BSLN), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to meeting the needs of patients with severe bacterial and fungal infections, today announced an agreement with Prokaryotics Inc., a privately held US-based biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of novel anti-infective drugs. The collaboration aims to jointly develop a first-in-class broad-spectrum antifungal for the treatment of severe invasive infections.
The collaboration is focused on a program of antifungal molecules with a novel mode of action, addressing the critical unmet need of patients with invasive infections caused by strains of Candida, Aspergillus, and rare molds. The joint efforts aim to deliver a clinical candidate, which will then be further progressed through clinical development by Basilea.
Dr. Laurenz Kellenberger, Chief Scientific Officer of Basilea, commented: “We are excited to collaborate with Prokaryotics on this program with the goal to develop an entirely novel class of broad-spectrum antifungals for patients suffering from severe invasive infections. There remains a significant unmet medical need for safe, effective, and easy to administer antifungals, with activity against priority pathogens. This partnership underscores Basilea’s continued commitment to addressing these needs, also evidenced by our robust anti-infective R&D pipeline. We look forward to working together, combining Prokaryotics expertise in anti-infective drug discovery and Basilea’s capabilities to advance novel drugs to the market.”
Dr. Terry Roemer, Chief Scientific Officer of Prokaryotics, stated: “There is a huge medical need for new antifungal agents with novel modes of action distinct from current clinically used drugs. This partnership perfectly aligns Prokaryotics’ expertise and passion for discovering novel anti-infectives with Basilea’s exceptional leadership in advancing novel drugs to the market.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Basilea will make an undisclosed upfront payment, along with near-term milestone payments to Prokaryotics. After selection of a clinical candidate, Basilea would be responsible for the clinical development and global commercialization under an exclusive global license. Under such license, Prokaryotics would be eligible to receive up to USD 48.5 million in development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments, as well as tiered low single-digit royalties on global net sales.
About invasive infections by Aspergillus molds and rare molds
Invasive aspergillosis, caused by Aspergillus molds, and invasive infections with rare molds (e.g., Fusarium spp., Lomentospora prolificans, Scedosporium spp., and Mucorales fungi) are life-threatening infections that predominantly affect immunocompromised patients, including patients with hematologic malignancies (blood cancer), transplant patients, or patients with other immunodeficiency disorders. These infections are associated with high morbidity and mortality.[1, 2]
About invasive Candida infections
Invasive infections caused by Candida yeasts, such as candidiasis, including deep-seated tissue candidiasis and candidemia, are increasingly important nosocomial infections, especially in patients hospitalized in intensive care units. Candida species are ranked as the fourth main cause of bloodstream infections in hospitals in the US.[3] The prognosis of invasive candidiasis remains difficult, with a reported mortality rate as high as 40%, even when patients receive antifungal therapy.[4]
About Prokaryotics
Prokaryotics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company founded on Merck & Co. out-licensed antibiotic development assets and internally discovered programs with the promise to treat life-threatening microbial infections caused by multidrug resistant bacteria and fungi. Prokaryotics combines its deep expertise in microbial physiology and medicinal chemistry with an unambiguous collaborative spirit and scientific passion to develop mechanistically novel antibiotics specifically targeting microbial cell wall and cell envelope biogenesis – the fundamental barriers erected by these pathogens to naturally withstand the effects of antibiotic treatment and the human immune system. Prokaryotics believes that such next generation antibiotics are undeniably essential to combat the global threat of antimicrobial resistance.
About Basilea
Basilea is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company founded in 2000 and headquartered in Switzerland. We are committed to discovering, developing and commercializing innovative drugs to meet the needs of patients with severe bacterial and fungal infections. We have successfully launched two hospital brands, Cresemba for the treatment of invasive fungal infections and Zevtera for the treatment of bacterial infections. In addition, we have preclinical and clinical anti-infective assets in our portfolio. Basilea is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: BSLN). Please visit basilea.com.
Disclaimer
This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements, such as “believe”, “assume”, “expect”, “forecast”, “project”, “may”, “could”, “might”, “will” or similar expressions concerning Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd, Allschwil and its business, including with respect to the progress, timing and completion of research, development and clinical studies for product candidates. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd, Allschwil to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd, Allschwil is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
For further information, please contact:
| Peer Nils Schröder, PhD Head of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations | |
| Phone | +41 61 606 1102 |
| media_relations@basilea.com investor_relations@basilea.com | |
This press release can be downloaded from www.basilea.com.
References
- J. Cadena, G. R. Thompson 3rd, T. F. Patterson. Aspergillosis: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Infectious Disease Clinics of North America 2021 (35), 415-434
- M. Slavin, S. van Hal, T. C. Sorrell et al. Invasive infections due to filamentous fungi other than Aspergillus: epidemiology and determinants of mortality. Clinical Microbiology and Infection 2015 (21), 490.e1-490.e10
- Candidemia (Blood Infection) and Other Candida Infections. 2019 Factsheet by the American Thoracic Society: https://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/candidemia.pdf (Accessed: January 06, 2026)
- B. J. Kullberg, M. C. Arendrup. Invasive Candidiasis. The New England Journal of Medicine 2015 (373), 1445-1456
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