A new class of antimicrobial.
Niche Biopharmaceuticals is developing NB2 — a topical small-molecule new chemical entity with coupled anti-infective and immunomodulatory action. Resistance-resilient. Pre-IND complete. Two lead indications: atopic dermatitis and diabetic foot ulcers.
Two problems. One molecule.
NB2 — a Coupled Anti-Infective Immunomodulatory Therapeutic — pairs direct antimicrobial action with built-in anti-inflammatory effect in a single new chemical entity.
Broad-spectrum potency
µg/mL activity against more than forty bacterial organisms — including AD-driving S. aureus and DFU-implicated strains — plus enveloped viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and influenza.
Resistance-resilient
52 weeks of continuous passage at 50% of the MBC against S. aureus MN8 produced no observed resistance development — a property of the chemical class.
Dual mechanism by design
Anti-infective and immunomodulatory action coupled in the same molecule — not delivered as a combination. Toxin synthesis shut down at 1/15 of MBC.
From bench to first-in-human.
A pre-IND meeting was completed with FDA Dermatology in May 2024 on the lead atopic dermatitis program. A parallel DFU pre-IND meeting is planned post-financing close.
The CAIT class & NB2.
CAIT — Coupled Anti-Infective Immunomodulatory Therapeutic — is a proprietary chemical class invented at Niche. NB2 is a lipase-resistant analogue of glycerol monolaurate (GML), the antimicrobial scaffold in human breast milk.
NB2 — a new chemical entity.
NB2 is classified as a new chemical entity per FDA regulations, qualifying for 5-year NCE exclusivity at approval. It is structurally optimized from glycerol monolaurate (GML) — the antimicrobial scaffold in human breast milk — to be fully lipase-resistant.
Two problems, one molecule.
Direct antimicrobial activity
µg/mL bactericidal potency against more than 40 bacterial organisms. Activity extends to enveloped viruses including SARS-CoV-2 and influenza.
Coupled anti-inflammatory effect
Toxin production (TSST-1 and other superantigens) is shut down at sub-MBC levels — addressing the inflammatory driver of disease in tandem with infection. Built into the same molecule, not delivered as a combination.
Resistance-resilient by design
Lipase resistance combined with multi-target action limits bacterial escape pathways. The 52-week no-resistance result is a property of the chemical class, applicable across S. aureus-driven indications.
52 weeks. No resistance.
Antimicrobial resistance is the dominant failure mode in anti-infective drug development. NB2's chemical class did not select for resistance under continuous selective pressure — a foundational property that motivates both lead indications.
Compounds in the CAIT class were cultured continuously at 50% of the minimum bactericidal concentration — a pressure regime designed to select for resistant survivors. Over 52 weeks the bacteria did not develop resistance.
This is not a single-organism result; it is a property of the chemical class. MRSA panel expansion is planned in Year 1 to confirm class-level validation across clinical isolates.
5–10× more potent. Full lipase resistance. Tox clean.
| Compound | MIC (µg/mL) | MBC (µg/mL) | Toxin inh. |
|---|---|---|---|
| GML | 300 | 300 | 16 |
| NB2 | 31 | 63 | <4 |
10⁹-fold S. aureus reduction.
In the validated rabbit AD model, NB2 produced a 10⁵-fold S. aureus reduction at 4 hours and a 10⁹-fold reduction at 8 hours, with clear time- and dose-dependent response across 15 and 30 mg/mL doses.
The minipig dermal tox study (completed February 2025) established NOAEL at 25 mg/kg BID over 7 days at 10% BSA, with plasma exposure of 2–6 ng/mL and no accumulation. Top proposed clinical dose: 15 mg/mL — well below NOAEL margin.
Two lead indications. One mechanism. Platform breadth behind it.
NB2 targets S. aureus and its inflammatory drivers across two large, underserved markets — with extensible application across 10+ rare dermatology indications and the type 2 diabetes superantigen pathway.
Atopic dermatitis
From 33M to Phase 2 PoC trial-eligible
Topical convenience. Differentiated MoA.
Diabetic foot ulcers
Why NB2 should work
S. aureus drives DFU
The majority of DFUs are infected with S. aureus producing superantigens (Schlievert lab, JID 2014).
Superantigens block healing
Demonstrated in vitro and in vivo (Schlievert lab, Biochemistry 2015). Until S. aureus and its superantigens are cleared, the wound does not close.
The two-pronged action
NB2 kills S. aureus and inhibits superantigen synthesis at sub-MBC — the exact mechanism DFU requires.
Founders and board with 15+ FDA approvals.
A team that has registered more than fifteen products with FDA generating over $3 billion in annual sales — applied to a novel chemical class with a real differentiator.
Dayton Reardan, PhD, RAC
Inventor on issued composition-of-matter and use patents covering the CAIT class. Regulatory Affairs Certified. Led the FDA pre-IND meeting on the lead AD program in May 2024.
Patrick Schlievert, PhD
Member of the NIH-funded Atopic Dermatitis Research Network (ADRN). 30+ years of S. aureus pathogenesis research. Author on the foundational DFU mechanism papers (JID 2014; Biochemistry 2015).
Dan Saccani
Biotech finance, operations, and capital-raising experience.
Paul Brennan, PhD
Drug development and regulatory experience across multiple FDA filings.
Robert Klem, PhD
Biotech management and commercial leadership across multiple ventures.
Three issued US patents.
Broad composition-of-matter and use claims covering the CAIT chemical class. International filings pending.
FDA Dermatology was receptive and supportive of the AD development plan.
NOAEL 25 mg/kg BID over 7 days, 10% BSA. Plasma 2–6 ng/mL.
5-year NCE exclusivity available at approval. QIDP/Breakthrough explorability for DFU under evaluation.
Two large, underserved markets. Platform optionality on top.
Y5 projection at 5% market share, $9,800/treatment, 6.6M moderate-to-severe AD patients with steroid intolerance / active S. aureus.
Annual US healthcare cost of diabetic foot ulcers. No approved breakthrough topical therapy — pricing power and reimbursement leverage are significant.
$13–15M to Phase 2 PoC across two tranches.
Capital-efficient at 5–10× comparable derm programs. ~$400K cash burn to date.
To advance NB2 through Phase 2 proof-of-concept in atopic dermatitis, with a parallel DFU pre-IND meeting and IND-enabling work.
Use-of-proceeds shown is illustrative; final allocation set in definitive subscription documentation.
Open to qualified investors.
Niche is currently raising to advance NB2 through Phase 2 PoC. We welcome inquiries from accredited investors, family offices, and strategic partners aligned with anti-infective and dermatology programs.
Get in touch.
For data-room access, the investor brief, or to schedule an introductory call.
Shorewood, MN 55331 · USA