Basilea Expands Anti-Infective Pipeline Through Antifungal Collaboration with Prokaryotics

Basilea Expands Anti-Infective Pipeline Through Antifungal Collaboration with Prokaryotics

(IN BRIEF) Basilea Pharmaceutica has entered into a strategic collaboration with Prokaryotics to develop a first-in-class broad-spectrum antifungal therapy targeting severe invasive fungal infections. The partnership focuses on novel compounds with a new mode of action aimed at pathogens such as Candida, Aspergillus, and rare molds. The companies will jointly advance the programme to a clinical candidate, after which Basilea will lead clinical development and commercialization under an exclusive global license. The agreement includes upfront and milestone payments, with Prokaryotics eligible for up to USD 48.5 million in milestones and royalties on future sales.

(PRESS RELEASE) ALLSCHWIL, 7-Jan-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd, a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on treatments for serious bacterial and fungal infections, has entered into a collaboration agreement with Prokaryotics Inc. to advance the development of a first-in-class broad-spectrum antifungal therapy for severe invasive infections.

The collaboration centres on a portfolio of antifungal compounds that act through a previously unexploited biological mechanism. These novel molecules are intended to address critical unmet medical needs in patients suffering from life-threatening invasive fungal infections caused by pathogens such as Candida, Aspergillus, and rare mold species, where treatment options remain limited.

Under the agreement, the two companies will work together to progress the antifungal programme through discovery and preclinical development, with the shared objective of identifying a clinical candidate. Once a candidate has been selected, Basilea will assume responsibility for advancing the programme through clinical development and subsequent stages.

Dr. Laurenz Kellenberger, Chief Scientific Officer of Basilea, said the collaboration reflects the company’s strategic focus on expanding its anti-infective pipeline. He noted that the partnership combines Prokaryotics’ strengths in discovering novel anti-infective agents with Basilea’s experience in advancing innovative therapies toward the market, with the aim of delivering safer, more effective, and easier-to-use antifungal treatments for patients facing severe infections.

Dr. Terry Roemer, Chief Scientific Officer of Prokaryotics, highlighted the urgent demand for antifungal drugs with new modes of action that differ from existing therapies. He said the partnership brings together complementary expertise and a shared commitment to tackling some of the most challenging unmet needs in infectious disease treatment.

Financially, the agreement includes an undisclosed upfront payment from Basilea, as well as near-term milestone payments. Following the selection of a clinical candidate, Basilea will hold exclusive global rights for clinical development and commercialization. Prokaryotics will be eligible to receive up to USD 48.5 million in additional development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments, along with 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.

This press release can be downloaded from www.basilea.com.

References

1. J. Cadena, G. R. Thompson 3rd, T. F. Patterson. Aspergillosis: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Infectious Disease Clinics of North America 2021 (35), 415-434
2. 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
3. Candidemia (Blood Infection) and Other Candida Infections. 2019 Factsheet by the American Thoracic Society: www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/candidemia.pdf (Accessed: January 06, 2026)
4. B. J. Kullberg, M. C. Arendrup. Invasive Candidiasis. The New England Journal of Medicine 2015 (373), 1445-1456

Media Contact:

Peer Nils Schröder, PhD

Head of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations
Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd, Allschwil
Hegenheimermattweg 167b
4123 Allschwil
Switzerland

Phone+41 61 606 1102E-mailmedia_relations@basilea.com
investor_relations@basilea.com

SOURCE: Basilea