Data published in Nature Communications highlights unique Mechanism of Action of Alpibectir in combination with Ethionamide (AlpE)

Basel, Switzerland, April 13, 2026, 7am CEST

• BioVersys and partners publish in the prestigious journal of Nature Communications pre-clinical development data of AlpE (alpibectir and ethionamide), an innovative drug combination that overcomes drug-resistance to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb).
• Alpibectir is a potential first-in-class molecule for treating drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) by targeting new bioactivation pathways exploited by ethionamide in Mtb.
• Pre-clinical data show that alpibectir potentiates ethionamide (Eto) bioactivation, resulting in rapid killing of the bacteria and restoring Eto susceptibility in resistant Mtb strains.
• AlpE, is currently being studied by BioVersys’ partner GSK in a pulmonary tuberculosis Phase 2b trial, expected to finalize recruitment by end of 2027, and by BioVersys in a tuberculosis meningitis Phase 2 trial that was recently initiated.

BioVersys AG (SIX: BIOV), a multi-asset, clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on research and development of novel antibacterial products for serious life-threatening infections caused by multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria, announced today the publication of pre-clinical data in the prestigious journal of Nature Communications, for its innovative anti-tuberculosis combination AlpE.[1]

Alpibectir, a small molecule acting through a novel mode of action, represents a new concept of overcoming drug-resistance in M. tuberculosis, by potentiating the activity of an existing antibiotic, ethionamide, and was identified in a research collaboration with GSK and the academic groups of Dr. Alain Baulard, Prof. Benoit Deprez and Prof. Nicolas Willand. Tuberculosis is one of the leading causes of death by infectious diseases globally, as existing standard of care treatments diminish in efficacy due to growing drug resistance.

Following the recently published clinical proof-of-concept for AlpE in pulmonary TB[2], BioVersys and collaborators now publish pre-clinical evidence supporting the potential of AlpE to provide a new therapeutic option to treat tuberculosis:

• In in vitro studies, AlpE showed potent activity against a diverse set of M. tuberculosis clinical strains, including those resistant to standard of care treatments. AlpE was also active against intracellular M. tuberculosis.
• In in vivo studies, AlpE rapidly reduced bacterial load levels and improved survival, demonstrating clear translation from in vitro to in vivo proof of concept.

Through the BioVersys and GSK partnership, alpibectir has completed Phase 1 and two Phase 2a pulmonary TB trials and is considered to be generally safe and well tolerated. Currently, AlpE is being studied in a pulmonary TB Phase 2b trial in combination with first-line TB drugs (NCT05807399), within IMI2 UNITE4TB project and BioVersys recently initiated a Phase 2 trial in meningeal TB (NCT07350174).

Dr. Michel Pieren, Clinical Project Team Leader at BioVersys: “The data provide a compelling scientific foundation in understanding the potential positioning of AlpE in future drug regimens to treat TB and thus for the next stages of clinical development. Alpibectir is the product of a successful public private partnership between BioVersys an academic consortium from Lille, France and large pharma, GSK. We are grateful to all our partners and funders for their support in the development of AlpE.”

Dr. Alain Baulard, Director of Research Inserm at CIIL, Institut Pasteur de Lille: “Alpibectir reprograms the transcriptional landscape of M. tuberculosis, increasing the activity of ethionamide. Elucidating the precise mechanism of action of a novel drug is not only a scientifically rewarding process, it is also instrumental in anticipating potential resistance escape routes, rationalizing the design of synergistic therapeutic regimens, and ultimately paving the way for next-generation treatment strategies. This has been a truly exciting and passionate journey, one that has brought together biologists and chemists and bridged the public and private sectors. I am firmly convinced that alpibectir will soon expand the therapeutic arsenal available to clinicians and their patients.”

Prof. Nicolas Willand, of M2SV, University of Lille: “This scientific work is the culmination of a decade of intensive research into an innovative concept based on enhancing existing anti-tuberculosis drugs to make them effective again against resistant strains. It also represents a breakthrough in the detailed understanding of the mechanisms of action of alpibectir at the molecular level. Finally, it is the result of a fruitful collaboration between leading academic research units in the field of anti-infectives, private and public pharmaceutical companies seeking new alternatives to existing treatments.”

Dr. David Barros-Aguirre, Head of Global Health Medicines R&D, GSK: “The publication of these pre-clinical data for AlpE supports the continued progress of this potential treatment in clinical development and shows the value of collaborative research. GSK, alongside our partners, remains deeply committed to changing the trajectory of tuberculosis.”

The pre-clinical and clinical development of alpibectir has been strongly supported by the European Union’s Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 (IMI2) through the TRIC-TB project (grant agreement No 853800), under which some studies described in the Nature Communications publication were funded.

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