New hope in the fight against antimicrobial resistance

A difficult selection process

SNIPR Biome has previously been in discussions with the EIB in its search for funding to support the continued development of the company's innovative CRISPR-based medicines.

However, securing funding had not been possible, as the EIB had previously only granted loans to companies at more advanced stages of development.

The designation of AMR as a strategic priority for the EU's Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) has now made this possible.

Nevertheless, the process has been challenging and has taken almost a year, as the EIB conducts a very thorough evaluation process to ensure that funding is awarded to the most promising development projects. Only 1–2% of applicants make it through the selection process and secure capital from the EIB.

The funding is essentially a venture loan with a very long repayment period, which must be repaid with interest if the company succeeds. The loan is guaranteed by European taxpayers, and the 'interest' is used to cover investments that do not generate sufficient returns.

Christian Grøndahl explains more about the substantial funding and how it will be used:

"The loan will primarily support the development of our most experimental drug candidate, SNIPR001, which kills E. coli without affecting other bacteria. This means that the drug does not disrupt the patient's microbiome, as beneficial bacteria are preserved, resulting in significantly fewer side effects than traditional antimicrobial drugs."

"We have just initiated Phase 2a studies involving patients with haematological cancers in the United States and expect data from this study by mid-2026. In addition, the loan enables us to develop new AMR treatments targeting other life-threatening bacterial infections with high levels of resistance, such as Klebsiella and Pseudomonas, which can cause pneumonia, among other conditions."

Dedication is essential

When SNIPR Biome was founded, the company focused exclusively on developing new antimicrobial medicines. However, it has since been necessary to change its strategy.

"AMR is an extremely challenging business area because securing funding is very difficult. We have therefore had to change our strategy and now focus more broadly on the role of the microbiome in disease development, as well as how CRISPR technology can be used to develop microbial gene therapy, where bacteria are used to produce an active substance inside the body."

"In effect, this would be a beneficial infection, where bacteria are genetically programmed to produce, for example, antibodies that can treat colorectal cancer and other diseases. It can be compared to probiotic bacteria, which are also beneficial to the body. This treatment approach has the advantage of being significantly less expensive than conventional manufacturing, particularly of biological medicines. At the same time, it offers much better bioavailability because the active substance is produced directly in the body where it is needed," explains Christian Grøndahl.

"AMR is a cause very close to my heart and an area of great importance to society."

SNIPR Biome is currently much further along in the development of new antimicrobial medicines than in microbial gene therapy, but the company is keen to pursue both strategies.

"AMR is a cause very close to my heart and an area of great importance to society. However, we need a two-pronged strategy to ensure the company's survival. Put simply, the development of new antimicrobial medicines depends on us also focusing on other therapeutic areas to maintain a sustainable business strategy," says Christian Grøndahl.

Predicting a paradigm shift

As mentioned, AMR is a cause close to Christian Grøndahl's heart, even though it is a challenging therapeutic area in which to conduct research. Nevertheless, he believes and hopes that the situation is beginning to change.

"At present, securing funding is extremely difficult because there is a general perception that antimicrobial medicines are not profitable. There is also a misconception that multidrug-resistant infections are inherently difficult to treat."

"Our technology demonstrates that multidrug-resistant infections can be treated in a relatively straightforward way when the right technology is applied."

"I also believe it should be possible to build a sustainable business around antimicrobial medicines targeting infections caused by resistant bacteria. These treatments are intended for critically ill patients and therefore hold tremendous value, both for individuals and society. Venture capital funds have simply not recognised this yet, but we currently have the support of a strong investor base, including our first investor, the Lundbeck Foundation."

"I believe it is important to address this misconception and challenge the stigma surrounding antimicrobial medicines. We are not talking about standard antibiotics that need to be sold at low prices to large populations. These are life-saving treatments for critically ill patients and therefore represent a sound business case – just like orphan drugs and innovative cancer treatments."

"Our technology demonstrates that multidrug-resistant infections can be treated in a relatively straightforward way when the right technology is applied."

Christian Grøndahl strongly believes that, within the next few years, there will be growing recognition that AMR is a serious problem that must be addressed.

"Hospital-acquired infections, in particular, are on the rise and can bring entire hospital departments to a standstill – for example, units treating burn patients or transplant recipients."

"Major global foundations, such as the Novo Nordisk Foundation and the Wellcome Trust, which take a more long-term and holistic perspective, are highly focused on the severity of the AMR challenge. The Gates Foundation focuses on the microbiome, tuberculosis and infectious diseases more broadly."

"I believe that other investment communities will follow suit within the next few years. For example, pension funds and insurance companies have already begun showing interest in this area."

"Two crucial factors will help drive this development. Firstly, oncologists and other medical specialists need to recognise how important access to effective antimicrobial treatments is within their respective fields. Secondly, patient organisations need to become aware of the challenges posed by AMR and start communicating how significantly it affects their members. This could bring AMR to the forefront of public debate and help put pressure on politicians and other decision-makers."

Broad collaboration is crucial

SNIPR Biome collaborates with a range of stakeholders on the development of its various drug candidates across several therapeutic areas.

In relation to AMR, the company is in the process of establishing a major collaboration with SPRIN-D, the German government's agency for breakthrough innovation. The collaboration will focus on using CRISPR technology to treat individuals before they become ill – specifically, carriers of bacteria with antibiotic resistance genes.

"Denmark is a leading life science nation, and this also places a responsibility on us to contribute to solving the global challenge of AMR."

The aim is to remove resistance genes from bacteria, making it possible to treat them once again with existing antibiotics.

Christian concludes by highlighting the Danish AMR Alliance, which Pharmadanmark co-founded together with the Novo Nordisk Foundation and Pfizer Denmark:

"I believe Denmark has the potential to become a leader in AMR because the alliance brings together all the relevant stakeholders. Denmark could serve as a hub and take responsibility for establishing a European alliance. Denmark is a leading life science nation, and this also places a responsibility on us to contribute to solving the global challenge of AMR."