Smartbax Expands Antibiotic Pipeline with Aicuris Compound

On January 20, 2026, Smartbax GmbH, a biotech company developing next-generation antibiotics, announced the in-licensing of a new compound class from Aicuris Anti-infective Cures AG. This expands Smartbax's pipeline of antibiotics targeting Gram-negative bacteria with novel mechanisms. The compound disrupts bacterial cell wall synthesis, focusing on a previously unexploited biosynthesis pathway.

The partnership seeks to address the urgent need for effective treatments against multi-drug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens, which are responsible for severe infections and increasingly resistant to current antibiotics. The compound, discovered by Aicuris and the Max Planck Institute, has shown efficacy in vitro and in vivo against resistant strains like E. coli and K. pneumoniae.

Smartbax plans to optimize the lead series for better physicochemical properties, aiming for preclinical studies in two years. Dr. Robert Macsics, CEO of Smartbax, emphasized the significance of this compound in potentially offering new options for severely ill patients. The company continues to advance its platform, targeting both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.