Backgrounder - Government of Canada invests $2.8 Million to Further Develop and Commercialize Novel Antibiotics 

Project Description

Halifax, Nova Scotia
Appili Therapeutics Inc.
ACOA assistance: $2,803,148 (AIF Conditionally-Repayable)
Total Project Costs: $3,737,522 

• Appili Therapeutics, located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, is a start-up drug development company that was established to develop therapeutic solutions to the growing public health crisis of antibiotic resistance. Appili’s drug development pipeline includes a mix of late stage and early stage programs with the potential to fundamentally change how infectious diseases are treated. 

• Appili’s lead product, ATI-1501, is a taste-masked treatment for anaerobic infections, including C. difficile. The company recognized that people with trouble swallowing pills weren’t finishing their course of metronidazole antibiotics because of the extreme bitter taste. Patient non-compliance is dangerous because it contributes to the rise of superbugs and puts patients at risk. 

• Appili sees significant market potential for its taste-masked metronidazole reformulation. ATI-1501 has been optimized so that it is easy to swallow and will help patients, young and old, complete their full course of antibiotics. 

• The company plans to take ATI-1501 (the taste-masked reformulation of Metronidazole) through clinical studies for Health Canada and FDA approval and market it within North America. Appili has obtained Orphan Drug Status for the development of this drug, which provides more rapid regulatory approval and seven years of market exclusivity upon approval. 

• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), each year 700,000 people die as a result of antibiotics-resistant bacteria. It’s anticipated that, by 2050, a staggering 10 million people will have died due to these bacteria.  

• As a result of this project, Appili is developing “smarter drugs” to fight antibiotic resistance. Its lead candidate, ATI-1501, is an improved treatment for anaerobic infections because it tackles the issue of non-compliance. When patients complete their full course of antibiotics it helps prevent recurrent infections, helps prevent the spread of infections and significantly reduces hospitalization costs. Appili is also creating highly-skilled, well-paying jobs in Atlantic Canada, growing from two to 13 employees in the past year.

ACOA’s Innovation Programming

ACOA’s innovation programming, which includes the Atlantic Innovation Fund and the Business Development Program, responds to the evolving needs of Atlantic businesses and researchers. It is designed to help bring to market new products, technologies and services that will improve the competitiveness and productivity of the Atlantic economy. The programs also provide support to small and medium-sized enterprises across the region to acquire or adapt innovative technologies that can improve their productivity and competitiveness, while also enabling them to build the skills they need to innovate and compete in today’s global economy.