New European anti-infectives company, Allecra Therapeutics, created

The creation of Allecra Therapeutics, a new company joining the established European BioValley Life Sciences cluster, was announced today (April 18). Allecra is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of novel antibiotics to combat multi drug-resistant bacterial infections.

Allecra’s 15 million-euro ($19.6 million) Series A financing round was co-led by Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners and Forbion Capital Partners. EMBL Ventures also participated. Allecra is a strategic partnership between the company’s founders including Nicholas Benedict, chief executive of Allecra working in conjunction with Indian Drugmaker Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals.

Bacterial resistance to current antibiotics is widespread and growing exponentially, compromising doctors’ ability to treat serious infections in patients receiving care both in hospitals and in the community. Governments, non-governmental agencies and the medical community have called for increased urgency and decisive action to combat what has been called the “epidemic of antibiotic-resistance.” Allecra‘s mission is to contribute to this cause by developing new treatments which overcome emerging bacterial resistance mechanisms, thereby saving lives of patients whose infections may otherwise may be inadequately treated.