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CARB-X (Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator) is a global non-profit partnership that provides non-dilutive funding and scientific, regulatory and business support to developers of antibacterial products. Its portfolio covers antibiotics, preventatives and rapid diagnostics, from early leads through preclinical work and into safety demonstrations in human clinical trials.
What it is and who runs it
CARB-X is headquartered at Boston University and led by it. It is a multilateral initiative funded by governments and private foundations. Its funding partners page names the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), Wellcome, the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Germany’s Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), the UK Department of Health and Social Care through the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Innovation Fund (GAMRIF), the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Gates Foundation, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Italy, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (DG HERA). Biotechs holding awards usually line up their milestones with regulatory affairs in the pharmaceutical industry expectations.
Eligibility (summary, with the official source)
As described on the CARB-X funding themes page on 2026-11-07, eligibility is set per funding theme, and detailed entry criteria sit in the linked Target Product Profiles and EOI guidance. The points stated on the pages are:
- Therapeutics: proposals must target the development of agents for the treatment of Gram-negative priority pathogens. The product must be direct-acting, with activity against both susceptible and multidrug-resistant isolates of the target pathogen species. Exceptions may be made for clinical-stage products with extensive proof of concept.
- Preventatives: the theme is non-vaccine approaches to prevent neonatal sepsis, targeting at least one of four pathogens: Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. Projects with dual indications are accepted.
- Diagnostics: the theme is diagnostics for neonatal sepsis.
- LMIC-focused programs: the application process page says such programs might qualify through the Official Development Assistance program.
- Cost share: successful applicants must contribute funding (“cost share”) equal to a percentage of the total cost of the agreed work package; the CARB-X FAQ gives the detail.
What it funds or requires
As described on the official pages on 2026-11-07, CARB-X funds three product types, with themes that change by funding round:
| Product type | Current theme (funding themes page) |
|---|---|
| Therapeutics | Direct-acting therapeutics for infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria |
| Preventatives | Non-vaccine approaches to prevent neonatal sepsis |
| Diagnostics | Diagnostics for neonatal sepsis |
Besides funding, CARB-X provides scientific, regulatory and business support. Therapeutic projects are often planned around a regulatory route such as an FDA NDA submission. Clinical work follows Good Clinical Practice under ICH E6(R3) and sound clinical trial protocol design. Where testing is outsourced, sponsors stay responsible for oversight, as covered in the pharmaceutical CRO industry sector overview.
Application or compliance steps
The application process page describes a three-stage process:
- Stage 1, Expression of Interest (EOI): a non-confidential fillable template giving the salient details of the proposed project, evaluated by the CARB-X Research & Development team for responsiveness.
- Stage 2, project narrative and budget: a confidential submission that begins once applicants execute the NDA, juried by a multidisciplinary external Advisory Board.
- Stage 3, presentation: a focused presentation to the Advisory Board.
The Advisory Board’s recommendations go to CARB-X, and the CARB-X Investment Committee makes the final portfolio decisions on projects that advance into portfolio negotiations.
Typical timeline phases
CARB-X runs funding rounds in cycles. The application process page lists these dates for the 2026 Funding Round Cycle 2 (all themes), as checked on 2026-11-07:
- EOI portal opens: 10 November 2026.
- EOI portal closes: 23 November 2026.
- EOI disposition notice: week of 14 December.
- Project narrative submission deadline: week of 1 February.
Dates change from round to round, so check the page before planning.
Common mistakes
- Proposing outside the active theme: the themes are specific (Gram-negative therapeutics, neonatal sepsis preventatives and diagnostics), and the EOI is checked for responsiveness.
- Leaving cost share until late: a cost-share contribution is required of successful applicants, so plan it from the start.
- Missing the EOI window: the portal is open for a short, fixed period each cycle.
- Overlooking the regulatory path: the ICH E6 vs ICH E8 comparison is a useful reference when designing clinical work.
Related programs
CARB-X’s own funding partners are related sources of antimicrobial funding and policy. Per the funding partners page, they include:
| Partner | Country or type |
|---|---|
| BARDA | United States |
| NIAID | United States |
| Wellcome | Charitable foundation |
| GAMRIF (UK Department of Health and Social Care) | United Kingdom |
| BMFTR | Germany |
| Public Health Agency of Canada | Canada |
| Gates Foundation and Novo Nordisk Foundation | Charitable foundations |
FAQ
What is CARB-X and what does the acronym stand for?
CARB-X stands for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator. It is headquartered at Boston University and provides non-dilutive funding and support to developers of antibiotics, preventatives and rapid diagnostics.
What does CARB-X funding cover?
It covers therapeutics and preventatives from potential drug leads through preclinical work and into safety demonstrations in human clinical trials, and diagnostics from feasibility through prototype development.
Is there a cost-share requirement?
Yes. Successful applicants must contribute funding equal to a percentage of the total cost of the agreed work package. The CARB-X FAQ gives the detail.
Which pathogens are in scope?
The therapeutics theme targets Gram-negative priority pathogens. The neonatal sepsis prevention theme requires at least one of Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus.
How does the application process work?
Applicants submit a non-confidential EOI, then a confidential project narrative and budget after executing an NDA, then present to the Advisory Board. The CARB-X Investment Committee makes the final decisions.
Sources
- CARB-X. “About CARB-X.” https://carb-x.org/about/overview/ (checked 2026-11-07).
- CARB-X. “Funding Partners.” https://carb-x.org/about/funding-partners/ (checked 2026-11-07).
- CARB-X. “Funding Themes.” https://carb-x.org/apply/funding-themes/ (checked 2026-11-07).
- CARB-X. “Application Process.” https://carb-x.org/apply/application-process/ (checked 2026-11-07).
