Challenge

A Spanish university spinout with an integrated platform to discover and develop new antimicrobials and adjuvants with novel mechanisms of action, was advancing a potentiator program that involves the development of adjuvant candidates to enhance the activity of a last-resort antibiotic. The university was conducting proof-of-concept (PoC) studies for this lead program. In the meantime, the spinout wanted to better understand the market opportunity for this potentiator and therefore asked Alacrita to conduct a market research exercise in the context of nosocomial infections caused by three Gram-negative pathogens: Acinetobacter baumannii, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Solution

Alacrita conducted a two-step work programme:

• Desk research to gather public domain information on nosocomial infections associated with Acinetobacter baumannii, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, including ventilator-associated pneumonia and urinary tract infections. We also explored the use of thr antibiotic in these infections, focusing on US and EU5.
• Using the information gathered, we outlined the size of the market, the level of unmet need, and where available, treatment algorithms and response rates. We also briefly conducted a search for competitors developing competitive potentiators, especially those that have a specific protein target rather than the usual LPS-targeting potentiators. Based on the outcome of this, we determined the market opportunity for the potentiator.