Together, they have found the key to tackling antibiotic resistance

It is often described as one of the greatest threats to public health: bacteria that could previously be treated with antibiotics can no longer be eradicated. As a result, infections we consider harmless today could become fatal. In many countries, antibiotics are available without a prescription, and their indiscriminate use has made antibiotic resistance a rapidly growing global problem.

‘Here in Norway, the restrictive use of antibiotics has kept the problem relatively limited. Even so, around 100 patients die each year in Norway as a result of resistant bacteria, which are mainly spread in hospitals,’ says Bjørn Klem, pharmacist and CEO of AdjuTec Pharma.

In addition, a growing number of resistant bacteria are being brought into Norway by well-travelled Norwegians who have received treatment in hospitals abroad – or through migration.

‘In some areas, there are now almost no antibiotics left that can be used for treatment. Doctors often resort to older medicines that have been discontinued because of the risk of side effects. This is what we are trying to address,’ says Klem.

Bacteria produce enzymes that destroy antibiotics. The Norwegian company has developed a technology that inhibits these enzymes, tackling the root of the problem.

By combining an enzyme inhibitor with an antibiotic and administering it as an infusion, the treatment restores the effectiveness of existing antibiotics that have stopped working.

‘So, this is not a new antibiotic, but an enzyme inhibitor that restores the effectiveness of medicines already on the market,’ Klem explains.

He says this is a well-established approach to the problem.

‘What makes our product unique is that there are no enzyme inhibitors for metallo-β-lactamases, a group of enzymes that is becoming increasingly widespread.’

AdjuTec Pharma was established in 2019, but its scientific roots go back many years to research communities at the University of Oslo. The company is also a member of the Oslo Cancer Cluster, which is part of our cluster programme.

Oslo Cancer Cluster is a research and industry cluster that aims to improve the lives of cancer patients by accelerating the development of new cancer diagnostics and treatments. AdjuTec Pharma's technology is highly relevant to these patients, who are vulnerable to antibiotic-resistant bacteria: around 60 per cent of deaths among cancer patients are associated with infections.

Klem previously headed the Oslo Cancer Cluster incubator – and it was through collaboration within the cluster that he first became acquainted with the company he now leads.
He has no doubt that cluster collaboration shortens the journey from idea to success.

‘It is almost impossible to overstate the importance of being part of a cluster. There are many reasons for this. Firstly, having a physical location with access to offices, laboratories and any equipment you may need gives a company a strong start. Such resources are expensive to purchase and difficult to access through other channels. You also gain access to the expertise within the cluster, including advisors and mentors,’ Klem emphasises, before continuing:

‘Entrepreneurs often have limited knowledge of the commercial side of things, or of how to set up a company, apply for funding, manage accounts and deal with legal matters. That is why it is important to have a network around you that can help. It is also very useful to share expertise and experience with other companies in the same boat.’

The company, which now has five employees, is currently based at the Rebel innovation hub in Oslo, which collaborates with Oslo Cancer Cluster. The hub brings together a range of technology companies under one roof, including health technology companies.

‘The idea is the same: to bring together expertise and companies that can learn from each other. That is extremely valuable,’ he says.

The many benefits of clusters are also why we invest in this type of collaboration. Norwegian Innovation Clusters (NIC) is a collaborative programme that we run together with Siva and the Research Council of Norway – and Oslo Cancer Cluster is part of it.

‘The cluster programme aims to strengthen collaboration and innovation among Norwegian companies, enabling them to tackle challenges and build competitive advantages together. NIC will act as a catalyst for the businesses of the future,’ says Hege Biermann, Business Developer for Norwegian Innovation Clusters at Innovation Norway.

Biermann points out that companies that succeed in global competition are characterised by, among other things, a strong culture of innovation and access to world-leading centres of expertise and infrastructure.

‘This is very difficult to achieve alone, especially if you are a small or medium-sized business. And this is precisely where clusters can help – by facilitating collaboration to strengthen businesses’ competitiveness. Cluster collaboration improves innovation capacity, productivity and quality,’ she concludes.

Read more about the Norwegian Innovation Clusters (NIC) collaboration programme

Klem also highlights our support as crucial to their development.

‘The innovation funding and commercialisation grant were crucial to getting the company off the ground. We used this funding to develop further and prepare to raise more capital – without it, everything would have ground to a halt,’ he says.

They are now applying to the EU's EIC Accelerator programme, with advisory support from Innovation Norway. We are the national contact point for the EU programme, which targets small and medium-sized enterprises developing breakthrough innovations.

‘We recently had an interview with the EIC jury in Brussels, after several pitch training sessions with Innovation Norway. We also used their Brussels office to practise on our own. Knowing that help is available is very important.’

Developing health technology is a lengthy process, and Klem expects its product to be ready for market in five years at the earliest. The founders began testing in 2021 and have achieved promising results in animal trials, among other tests. After the summer, the product will be tested on healthy volunteers to determine the optimal dosage for patients. At the same time, the team is testing the product with different types of antibiotics to identify the most effective combination.

In addition to support from organisations including Innovation Norway and the Research Council of Norway, they have raised capital from private investors. They are now preparing to raise more capital.

‘It is a rewarding field to work in because antimicrobial resistance is an issue many people care about,’ says Klem, adding that there is considerable interest from the wider world.

In the US, the authorities have granted them what is known as ‘priority review’.

‘This means that the product will be given priority when we submit our application for marketing authorisation in the US, because the authorities consider it important. It is a mark of quality for the project,’ he says.

The company is also exploring the possibility of licensing the technology to other pharmaceutical companies that manufacture antibiotics and need this type of technology.

‘The potential is undoubtedly significant. We have developed a unique solution to a major and growing problem, and one that is vital for the patients who need it. This product is expected to generate billions in sales.’