Bactobio is pioneering the discovery of novel antibiotics and fungicides by exploring the vast, uncharted world of uncultured microorganisms—bacteria that exist in soil but have never been studied in the lab.
The challenge
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most urgent global health threats. In 2019 alone, bacterial AMR was directly responsible for 1.27 million deaths and contributed to nearly five million more. As AMR makes infections harder to treat, it also increases the risks associated with surgeries, cancer therapies and other medical procedures.
Over 100 antibiotics are used globally and nearly all are derived from naturally occurring compounds, mostly from soil bacteria. Despite this, only about 1% of microbial life has ever been cultured and studied. The remaining 99% remains a largely untapped resource.
A new frontier in microbial discovery
Microbes represent the most biodiverse form of life on earth. Bactobio is using cutting-edge genomics, machine learning and bioengineering to culture the 99% of microbes that have previously been inaccessible and mine them for novel antibiotics and fungicides. These organisms have evolved unique chemistries over millions of years; compounds that are naturally effective, targeted and biodegradable.
By unlocking this hidden microbial diversity, Bactobio aims to discover new antimicrobial agents that can help address the AMR crisis and support more sustainable agriculture and healthcare.
How Innovate UK has helped
Innovate UK funding has been critical in de-risking Bactobio’s early-stage projects. It enabled the company to develop its platform technologies and secure matched funding for initiatives that might otherwise have been out of reach. The backing also adds credibility in conversations with investors and partners.
Beyond financial support, Innovate UK’s network has helped Bactobio connect with like-minded organisations and explore additional funding opportunities.
Dr Daniel Hansen, CEO and Co-founder, said:
The impact of Bactobio can really be measured in lives. The AMR crisis kills somewhere between one and six million people every year. We truly believe that we can address this crisis and effectively eliminate it over the next five to ten years, and the backing of Innovate UK could make a difference in the millions of lives saved.