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Focused Antibiotics

Focused Antibiotics

Funds United Kingdom and global teams redesigning antibiotic strategies while preserving gut microbiome health.

Wellcome Leap's Focused Antibiotics program is a newly announced $50 million initiative targeting one of medicine's most stubborn tradeoffs: antibiotics that kill the target pathogen also devastate the gut microbiome, causing collateral harm that contributes to long-term health consequences. The program challenges performer teams to reformulate existing antibiotics to spare the gut microbiome with

Reformulation of existing antibiotics targeting urinary tract infections, lower respiratory tract infections, and acute otitis media to eliminate gut microbiome collateral damage while maintaining treatment efficacy.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.One-off
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Cooperative agreement
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.0%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.$50M

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Last verified: 22 Jul 2026Source: wellcomeleap.org