Basilea joins INCATE to support antifungal innovation

Core Insights - Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd has announced a partnership with INCATE to enhance the development of antifungal therapies, addressing a critical need in the healthcare sector [1][2]. Company Overview - Basilea is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company founded in 2000, headquartered in Switzerland, focused on developing innovative drugs for severe bacterial and fungal infections [5]. - The company has successfully launched two hospital brands: Cresemba for invasive fungal infections and Zevtera for bacterial infections, and has additional preclinical and clinical anti-infective assets [5]. Partnership Details - The partnership with INCATE marks the first time that INCATE will expand its focus to include antifungals, leveraging Basilea's extensive expertise in anti-infectives [2]. - Basilea aims to assist INCATE in identifying and supporting promising early-stage innovations, bridging the gap between academic research and practical medical applications [2][3]. - Dr. Laurenz Kellenberger, Chief Scientific Officer of Basilea, emphasized the growing health challenge posed by invasive fungal infections, particularly for vulnerable populations, and the importance of advancing early-stage antifungal approaches [3]. INCATE Overview - INCATE is a not-for-profit partnership that combines translational and basic research, industry, and investors to strengthen the pipeline of new antibiotics and antifungals [4]. - Founding academic members include the German Center for Infection Research, the Leibniz:HKI, and the University of Basel, with Basilea being one of the four industry partners [4].