Basilea Pharmaceutica focuses on researching and developing anti-infective drugs and oncology treatments, with its latest asset being a combination of ceftibuten and lédaborbactam etzadroxil aimed at treating complicated urinary tract infections. The company purchased this antibiotic candidate from Pennsylvania-based Venatorx Pharmaceuticals in mid-August in a deal worth up to $325 million. The therapy has already cleared a first-in-human safety study. Basilea plans to launch a pivotal clinical program within the next eighteen months to pursue regulatory approval. To support the program, the firm just received a funding commitment of up to $159 million from the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), including $6 million available immediately. These non-dilutive funds were originally earmarked for Venatorx and will now shift to Basilea under the same development scope. This infusion strengthens Basilea’s balance sheet and offsets development costs as it advances the antibiotic toward market readiness.

Total raised

$159M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Sep 2025