Basilea Secures Additional USD 30 Million From BARDA To Advance Phase 3 Antifungal Therapy

Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. has received an additional USD 30 million in funding from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a division of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The funding was awarded after the company successfully achieved a pre-specified patient enrolment milestone in its ongoing Phase 3 clinical programme for fosmanogepix, an investigational antifungal therapy.

The new funding will support the continued development of fosmanogepix, which is being evaluated as a potential treatment for serious invasive fungal infections, including aspergillosis and candidiasis. The investigational therapy is intended to address the growing need for new treatment options for patients with life-threatening fungal infections, particularly in cases where existing therapies may be limited or less effective.

Commenting on the announcement, David Veitch, Chief Executive Officer of Basilea, said the company is pleased to receive continued support from BARDA for the clinical development of fosmanogepix. He noted that the therapy has the potential to expand treatment options for patients suffering from invasive fungal infections and could help address a significant unmet medical need in infectious disease care.

The latest USD 30 million funding builds on the USD 93 million that BARDA has already committed to Basilea since the companies signed their Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) in September 2024. The agreement supports the development of both fosmanogepix and another investigational programme, BAL2062, covering clinical development and regulatory activities associated with the projects.

Under the agreement, BARDA is expected to fund approximately 60% of the total costs of the supported programmes. If all available contract extension options are exercised, the OTA could provide Basilea with up to approximately USD 268 million in non-dilutive funding over a period of up to 12 years. The continued financial support highlights BARDA's commitment to advancing innovative anti-infective therapies that can strengthen preparedness against serious infectious diseases and improve treatment options for patients.