Santero Therapeutics, a small Belgian biotech company spun off from ULB in 2021, is pioneering a new mode of action for antibiotics by targeting bacteria’s vulnerability to chemical stress. CEO and co-founder Cédric Govaerts described the approach as “attacking the Achilles heel” of bacteria, a strategy that could not only limit the emergence of resistance but also potentially treat a wide range of pathogens.
Recent in vivo tests have shown encouraging results in animal models, particularly in treating blood infections caused by golden staphylococcus. Although the findings are still early in the development process, they represent a critical validation of twenty years of research into innovative antibiotic therapies a field that has seen little progress over the past four decades.
Santero is now launching a €10m fundraising campaign to finance the next phase of its clinical studies, with hopes of initiating a phase 1 trial within the next three years. The company has already raised €10.5m from a mix of private and public investors, including the life sciences investment fund Newton Biocapital and a consortium of business angels, and has secured an additional €1m in European funding to further its Staphylococcus aureus program.
At the 9th Conference on Antibiotic Resistance in Basel, company founders presented their breakthrough work, with Govaerts emphasizing that their novel approach could revolutionize the fight against antibiotic resistance. “This is indeed a new mode of action for antibiotics,” he said. “It should limit the emergence of resistance and, in theory, allow us to target any pathogen.”
The biotech community and major pharmaceutical companies, which account for 80% of antibiotic development, are watching Santero’s progress with keen interest. As traditional pharma has largely abandoned new antibiotic research due to economic challenges since antibiotics are used sparingly to prevent resistance Santero’s innovative approach could fill a critical gap in global health.
While partnerships with larger laboratories are under discussion, the company plans to focus on pathogens with significant economic potential, adapting its technology to meet specific market needs. If successful, Santero's breakthrough could transform the antibiotic market, providing a powerful new tool in the global battle against resistant infections.
