BioVersys and GSK Expand Collaboration to Accelerate TB Treatment

• BioVersys AG and GSK plc have expanded their strategic collaboration to accelerate the clinical development of alpibectir (BVL-GSK098) for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB).

• The collaboration will continue beyond the current Phase 2a and develop alpibectir in both TB pulmonary and TB meningitis programs.

• As part of the expanded collaboration, GSK will take an equity stake in BioVersys’ latest investment round, extending the Series C financing by CHF 12.3 million.

BioVersys AG, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, has expanded its strategic collaboration with GSK plc to accelerate the clinical development of alpibectir (BVL-GSK098) for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB). The small molecule, developed in a public-private collaboration with GSK, Pasteur Institute Lille and the University of Lille, is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2a study in pulmonary TB in South Africa.

The compound represents a new concept of overcoming resistance and significantly potentiating the activity of an existing antibiotic, ethionamide (Eto). “Together with GSK, we successfully advanced the development of alpibectir for TB,” said Dr. Marc Gitzinger, Chief Executive Officer and founder of BioVersys.

GSK and BioVersys will continue their collaboration beyond the current Phase 2a and develop alpibectir in both TB pulmonary and TB meningitis programs. The aim is to make alpibectir available to patients as soon as possible. “GSK is committed to changing the trajectory of tuberculosis and we’re excited to expand our partnership with BioVersys,” said Thomas Breuer, Chief Global Health Officer, GSK.

As part of the expanded collaboration, GSK will take an equity stake in BioVersys’ latest investment round. This extends the Series C financing by CHF 12.3 million, resulting in total proceeds of CHF 44.9 million for the Series C round to date.

The additional proceeds will enable the further clinical development of BioVersys’ portfolio which also includes BV100, a potential breakthrough hospital antibiotic with a new mode of action targeting Acinetobacter baumannii, the most drug-resistant bacterial pathogen.