GlaxoSmithKline receives US government funding for antibiotic research

GlaxoSmithKline is to receive US government funding for research into new antibiotics as part of an innovative public-private partnership.

The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority – a part of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) – will provide GlaxoSmithKline with $40 million (26.48 million pounds) over an initial 18-month period, with the total climbing to $200 million if the agreement is renewed over five years.

Funding can be moved around GlaxoSmithKline's antibacterial portfolio, rather than focusing on just one drug candidate, with this being the first time HHS has taken this financing approach for a drug development deal with a private sector company.

It is hoped that this will support the creation of several new antibiotic products to combat antimicrobial resistance and bioterrorism.

David Payne, head of GlaxoSmithKline's antibacterial discovery performance unit, said: "We strongly believe that innovative public-private partnerships such as this are integral to solving this critical healthcare issue."

Last year, the company joined with fellow pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca, Janssen, Sanofi and Basilea Pharmaceutica on a project to carry out joint antibiotic research alongside public partners in Europe.