India, 27 March 2025 – AdjuTec Pharma AS, a privately held company developing antibiotic resistance breakers, has announced that it has entered into a research collaboration agreement with Venus Remedies Limited (India). Venus Remedies Limited will perform a pre-clinical evaluation of AdjuTec Pharma´s APC-148 platform technology.

AdjuTec Pharma has developed novel inhibitor technologies that selectively destroy antibiotic resistance mechanisms in multidrug-resistant bacteria, thereby restoring the effectiveness of commercially available antibiotics. APC-148 is the lead program, that is presently in phase 1 clinical trials. As a frontrunner in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) research, Venus Remedies Limited will leverage its advanced R&D capabilities to assess APC-148’s potential in restoring the effectiveness of antibiotics against multidrug-resistant bacterial strains. 

As part of this engagement, Venus Remedies Limited will test APC-148 in combination with various antibiotics against its extensive library of clinical isolates collected through the GASAR study. The study forms part of Venus Remedies’ broader commitment to combating AMR and contributing to the UN’s ‘One Health’ objective. 

AdjuTec Pharma and Venus Remedies Limited share a joint mission to address the global health threat against AMR. AMR directly causes 1.3 million global deaths annually and is projected to cause 39 million accumulated global deaths by 2050. If left unchecked, AMR could surpass cancer as the leading cause of mortality.  

In India, the situation is especially critical, with AMR being endemic and associated with over 300,000 deaths in 2019 alone, including among newborns. APC-148 has the potential to significantly restore the effectiveness of antibiotics against resistant bacterial strains that are increasingly burdening the Indian healthcare system. 

AdjuTec Pharma AS, CEO, Jethro Holter said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Venus Remedies, a renowned Indian Company, with a share purpose and commitment to develop more effective antibiotics to combat the escalating global AMR crisis. This agreement perfectly aligns with our strategy to collaborate with leading and international pharmaceutical partners to address the most clinically challenging resistant pathogens through our groundbreaking technology.” 

Mr. Saransh Chaudhary, President, Global Critical Care, Venus Remedies, and CEO, Venus Medicine Research Centre said: “We are pleased to collaborate with AdjuTec Pharma on the preclinical evaluation of APC-148. This research engagement allows us to contribute our expertise in AMR toward advancing scientific understanding of novel solutions in this space. Our collaboration reflects a shared commitment to addressing the global AMR challenge through rigorous, innovation-driven research.” 

About antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance

About APC-148

APC-148 is a selective inhibitor targeting bacterial metallo-ß-lactamase (MBL) enzymes. APC-148 is AdjuTec Pharma’s lead program that will be used as an adjuvant together with antibiotics and other enzyme inhibitors to restore the effectiveness of antibiotics. APC-148 is presently in phase 1 clinical trials. Recently, a first in-human study with a single ascending dose of APC-148 in volunteers has concluded successfully. The regulatory pathway has been discussed with the FDA and EMA. The FDA has granted APC-148 a Qualified Infectious Disease Product designation, giving the product regulatory priority review and access to fast track and rolling review.

About AdjuTec Pharma AS

AdjuTec Pharma is a Norwegian-based company that is dedicated to developing and providing novel antibiotic resistance breakers to the global market. The company´s technology offers a unique mechanism of action that inactivates bacterial defence enzymes and restores bacterial sensitivity to antibiotics. The technology was invented by Professor Pål Rongved and his group at the Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo. The company is located in Oslo, Norway.

For more information, please visit www.adjutecpharma.com or contact us at post@adjutecpharma.com

About Venus Remedies Ltd

Panchkula-based Venus Remedies Ltd (NSE: VENUSREM, BSE: 526953) is among the 10 leading fixed-dosage injectable manufacturers in the world. Having a commercial presence in 90+ countries with a portfolio of 75 products spread over Europe, Australia, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Commonwealth States, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean region, the company has nine globally benchmarked facilities in Panchkula, Baddi and Werne (Germany), apart from 11 overseas marketing offices. The company holds the GMP approvals from European- GMP (INFARMED), PIC/S (Malaysia & Ukraine), SAHPRA, UNICEF, TGA, INVIMA & WHO-GMP, alongside key ISO certifications for quality, environmental, and occupational health and safety management.

Central to its mission, Venus Remedies is a frontrunner in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through its dedicated research division, Venus Medicine Research Centre (VMRC). The company is pivotal in developing advanced antibiotics and β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations aimed at tackling multidrug-resistant pathogens. Its notable initiatives like GASAR (Genetic Assessment and Surveillance of Antibiotic Resistance Study), provide essential data on antibiotic resistance, while the PLEA Trust fosters antibiotic stewardship. As an influential member of the AMR Industry Alliance, India AMR Innovation Hub, and Vivli AMR Registry, Venus Remedies shapes global AMR research and policy. Through strategic collaborations with academic and health organizations worldwide, the company enhances AMR surveillance and supports innovative drug development, affirming its leadership in global healthcare.