Daily Snap - 15. August 2025

Author

Joachim Eeckhout
August 15, 2025

Good morning! James Collins, a synthetic biologist at the Broad Institute, led a study that used generative AI models to design entirely new antibiotics from scratch. Trained on a library of 40,000 chemicals, the models generated hundreds of candidates, with seven showing antibacterial activity. Two lead compounds, NG1 and DN1, were effective against multidrug-resistant gonorrhea, with DN1 also targeting MRSA. Collins previously co-developed halicin in 2020 and uncovered a new class of antibiotics in 2023. He now plans to advance NG1 and DN1 toward the clinic with his nonprofit, Phare Bio. As big pharma investment in antibiotics has declined, it’s nice to see that AI and dedicated researchers are stepping in to fill the gap.

Enjoy today’s read!

—Joachim E.

SNIPPETS

What’s happening in biotech today?

📉AML flop: Schrödinger has halted development of its CDC7 inhibitor SGR-2921 after two patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) died during a phase 1 trial, with the drug deemed to have contributed to the fatalities. The study targeted relapsed/refractory AML and high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes, and while early results showed signs of monotherapy activity, safety concerns and challenges in pursuing combination therapy led to discontinuation. Schrödinger will now focus on its remaining oncology pipeline, including SGR-1505 for B-cell lymphomas and SGR-3515 for solid tumors.

⏸️Degrader timeout:  Prelude Therapeutics is pausing development of its lead SMARCA2 degrader, PRT3789, after underwhelming phase 1 dose-escalation results, and will only advance it with a partner. The company will focus its internal resources on its oral SMARCA2 degrader, PRT7732, which targets cancers with SMARCA4 mutations found in 10% of non-small cell lung cancers and 5% of all cancers. Factors influencing the decision included the need for greater target coverage and limited capital to advance both agents. First-in-human data for PRT7732 is expected later this year, alongside preclinical work on SMARCA2/SMARCA4 antibody drug conjugates with AbCellera.

⚡T Cell turbo: Pilatus Biosciences has entered a clinical trial collaboration with Roche to evaluate a combination of Roche’s PD-L1 inhibitor atezolizumab and Pilatus’s CD36 inhibitor PLT012 in a phase 1 study for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). PLT012, the company’s lead candidate, aims to reprogram the fibrotic, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment by blocking CD36-mediated lipid uptake, reducing regulatory T cells and pro-tumor macrophages while boosting cytotoxic CD8+ T cell activity. Preclinical data show strong monotherapy efficacy and potential to enhance checkpoint inhibitor responses in “cold” tumors. Founded in 2022, Pilatus operates in immunometabolic oncology, competing with Ona Therapeutics and Distillery Therapeutics in the CD36-targeting space.

🧪Antibiotic arsenal: Basilea has acquired global rights from Venatorx Pharmaceuticals to a Phase III-ready oral antibiotic combination of ceftibuten and ledaborbactam etzadroxil for treating complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis. The combination has demonstrated strong bactericidal activity against multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales and shown a favorable safety profile in preclinical and Phase I studies. Basilea plans to begin a registrational Phase III trial within 18 months. The deal includes an undisclosed upfront payment, potential near-term milestones, up to $325 million in future milestones, and tiered royalties. The move expands Basilea’s antibiotic portfolio, building on previous partnerships and BARDA-backed antimicrobial development efforts.

🧬RNA reveal: Ribopeutic, a China-based RNA therapeutics company founded in 2022, has raised nearly 100 million yuan ($13.9 million) in pre-A financing. Emerging from stealth, the company will use the funds to progress its lead programs toward investigational new drug applications and expand its early-stage pipeline. Ribopeutic combines artificial intelligence with laboratory validation to identify RNA structures that can be targeted by small molecules, aiming to accelerate development of treatments for central nervous system disorders, cancer, and autoimmune diseases.

SPEED READ

More news

  • Eli Lilly plans to raise drug prices in Europe to offset U.S. cost pressures without cutting U.S. prices. This comes in response to the Trump administration’s “most-favored nation” pricing policy.

  • Evotec’s restructuring has eliminated about 600 jobs, 200 more than planned, amid weak discovery and preclinical demand, facility sales, and a shift to a leaner, profit-focused model.

  • Camena Bioscience and Constructive Bio joined a £9.1M ARIA-funded project to develop synthetic chloroplast genomes, aiming to boost crop resilience and plant-based biomanufacturing.

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