BAL2420

BAL2420 is a first-in-class antibiotic candidate that acts as an inhibitor of LptA, a protein essential for the lipopolysaccharide transport bridge in Gram-negative bacteria. This novel mechanism disrupts the assembly of the bacterial outer membrane, leading to potent and rapid bactericidal activity. BAL2420 has demonstrated efficacy in vitro and in vivo against Enterobacteriaceae, including multidrug-resistant strains such as E. coli and K. pneumoniae that are resistant to beta-lactams and colistin (a last-resort antibiotic). The drug addresses a critical unmet need for new antibiotics targeting hospital-based severe infections caused by Gram-negative pathogens identified as priority threats by the World Health Organization. Originally developed by Spexis AG, the LptA inhibitor program was acquired by Basilea Pharmaceutica in early 2024, which is now advancing BAL2420 toward first-in-human clinical studies expected around mid-2026[1][2][3][4][5][6][8].

Other names

BAL2420BAL-2420BAL 2420