LimmaTech secures US$6.5 million to advance vaccine against S. aureus

LBT-SA7 is designed to prevent skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) caused by the bacterial pathogen Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). S. aureus infections pose a significant global health challenge, causing an estimated 1 million deaths annually. Notably, 90% of all community-acquired S. aureus infections are SSTIs. The absence of a vaccine to prevent S. aureus, coupled with only limited treatment options — particularly against multidrug-resistant strains of the pathogen, often described as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) — highlights the urgent need for effective preventive solutions.

LimmaTech’s vaccine candidate, LBT-SA7, is the first multivalent vaccine entirely based on secreted antigens to address this critical need. LBT-SA7 contains weakened forms of the pathogen’s toxins, referred to as toxoids, designed to prevent infections by neutralizing the toxins secreted by S. aureus. This approach offers a promising solution to combat the widespread bacterial threat.

LimmaTech started a Phase 1 clinical trial (NCT06719219) in the U.S. after receiving a Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This first-in-human study aims to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of LBT-SA7 against S. aureus. It is a randomized, double-blinded, and controlled dose-escalation study expected to enroll 130 healthy adults aged 18–50 years. Initial results are anticipated in the second half of 2025.

The company has obtained fresh funding from CARB-X to further advance the development of LBT.SA7. CARB-X accelerates global antibacterial innovation by supporting the development of new antibiotics and other life-saving products to combat the most dangerous drug-resistant bacteria.

“We are grateful for the significant support from CARB-X, which is not only instrumental in accelerating the clinical development of our S. aureus vaccine candidate LBT-SA7 but also underscores the importance of our mission to develop efficient solutions for preventing microbial infections and protecting from their threatening consequences for affected people,” added Dr. Franz-Werner Haas, Chief Executive Officer of LimmaTech.