News & Events
News & Events
Institut Pasteur Korea and DongBang Future Tech & Life Launch Joint Research Program to Develop Novel Antibacterials Against Antimicrobial Resistance
2026-04-22
Institut Pasteur Korea and DongBang Future Tech & Life
Launch Joint Research Program to Develop
Novel Antibacterials Against Antimicrobial Resistance
Launch Joint Research Program to Develop
Novel Antibacterials Against Antimicrobial Resistance
– Advancing candidate validation and progression toward preclinical development
for multidrug-resistant pathogens –
for multidrug-resistant pathogens –
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(Apr. 22, 2026, Gyeonggi-do, Rep. of Korea) Institut Pasteur Korea (IPK) announced on the 22nd that it has entered into a joint research agreement with DongBang Future Tech & Life (Dongbang FTL) to develop novel antibacterial agents targeting antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.
This joint research aims to develop new therapeutic agents for infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, commonly known as “superbugs,” for which treatment options remain highly limited.
Under the collaboration, the two organizations will conduct candidate screening, efficacy evaluation, and mechanistic studies targeting priority pathogens of global concern, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales.
IPK will be responsible for validating the antibacterial activity of candidate compounds secured by Dongbang FTL, conducting mode-of-action studies, and performing in vivo efficacy assessments using animal infection models. DongBang FTL will lead compound synthesis and optimization, as well as preclinical research and development.
Through this integrated effort, both parties aim to accelerate the development of next-generation antibacterial agents capable of overcoming resistance to existing antibiotics and broadening the spectrum of antibacterial activity, ultimately advancing promising candidates into preclinical development.
This collaboration is particularly significant as it combines IPK’s established capabilities in infectious disease research and antimicrobial resistance with Dongbang FTL’s strengths in small-molecule synthesis, medicinal chemistry optimization, and downstream development and manufacturing.
Antimicrobial resistance has emerged as a major global public health threat. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 2023, approximately one in six infections worldwide is caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. A 2024 international study further estimates that annual deaths attributable to antimicrobial resistance could rise from approximately 1 million today to nearly 10 million by 2050. Notably, MRSA and multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales are classified as high-priority and critical-priority pathogens, respectively, in the WHO Bacterial Priority Pathogens List (BPPL), underscoring the urgency of developing effective countermeasures.
The situation in Korea is similarly concerning. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), antibiotic consumption in Korea in 2023 was approximately 1.6 times higher than the OECD average. The resistance rate of MRSA in Korea reached 45.2%, significantly exceeding the global average of 27.1%.
Sung Key Jang, CEO of IPK, stated, “Through this collaboration with DongBang Future Tech & Life, we expect to identify next-generation antibacterial candidates with robust efficacy, resistance-avoidance mechanisms, and broad-spectrum activity to effectively address antimicrobial resistance—often referred to as a ‘silent pandemic.’ We aim to advance these candidates through subsequent R&D and manufacturing stages and ultimately translate them into clinical applications.”
Hunsuk Chung, CEO of Dongbang FTL, said, “Antimicrobial resistance represents a critical challenge that will shape future health security. Addressing this challenge requires fully integrated capabilities spanning candidate discovery, preclinical development, and manufacturing. Leveraging our extensive experience in novel drug development, including antibiotics, as well as our active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing capabilities certified under Korea, Japan, European, and WHO GMP standards, we anticipate that the outcomes of this collaboration will lead to the development of next-generation antibiotics discovered and manufactured domestically. This would mark a significant milestone in strengthening the competitiveness of Korea’s pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, securing a stable antibiotic supply chain, and reinforcing biopharmaceutical resilience.”
This joint research aims to develop new therapeutic agents for infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, commonly known as “superbugs,” for which treatment options remain highly limited.
Under the collaboration, the two organizations will conduct candidate screening, efficacy evaluation, and mechanistic studies targeting priority pathogens of global concern, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales.
IPK will be responsible for validating the antibacterial activity of candidate compounds secured by Dongbang FTL, conducting mode-of-action studies, and performing in vivo efficacy assessments using animal infection models. DongBang FTL will lead compound synthesis and optimization, as well as preclinical research and development.
Through this integrated effort, both parties aim to accelerate the development of next-generation antibacterial agents capable of overcoming resistance to existing antibiotics and broadening the spectrum of antibacterial activity, ultimately advancing promising candidates into preclinical development.
This collaboration is particularly significant as it combines IPK’s established capabilities in infectious disease research and antimicrobial resistance with Dongbang FTL’s strengths in small-molecule synthesis, medicinal chemistry optimization, and downstream development and manufacturing.
Antimicrobial resistance has emerged as a major global public health threat. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 2023, approximately one in six infections worldwide is caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. A 2024 international study further estimates that annual deaths attributable to antimicrobial resistance could rise from approximately 1 million today to nearly 10 million by 2050. Notably, MRSA and multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales are classified as high-priority and critical-priority pathogens, respectively, in the WHO Bacterial Priority Pathogens List (BPPL), underscoring the urgency of developing effective countermeasures.
The situation in Korea is similarly concerning. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), antibiotic consumption in Korea in 2023 was approximately 1.6 times higher than the OECD average. The resistance rate of MRSA in Korea reached 45.2%, significantly exceeding the global average of 27.1%.
Sung Key Jang, CEO of IPK, stated, “Through this collaboration with DongBang Future Tech & Life, we expect to identify next-generation antibacterial candidates with robust efficacy, resistance-avoidance mechanisms, and broad-spectrum activity to effectively address antimicrobial resistance—often referred to as a ‘silent pandemic.’ We aim to advance these candidates through subsequent R&D and manufacturing stages and ultimately translate them into clinical applications.”
Hunsuk Chung, CEO of Dongbang FTL, said, “Antimicrobial resistance represents a critical challenge that will shape future health security. Addressing this challenge requires fully integrated capabilities spanning candidate discovery, preclinical development, and manufacturing. Leveraging our extensive experience in novel drug development, including antibiotics, as well as our active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing capabilities certified under Korea, Japan, European, and WHO GMP standards, we anticipate that the outcomes of this collaboration will lead to the development of next-generation antibiotics discovered and manufactured domestically. This would mark a significant milestone in strengthening the competitiveness of Korea’s pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, securing a stable antibiotic supply chain, and reinforcing biopharmaceutical resilience.”