It's too early to say whether program is working, FDA tell Congress; agency has awarded 147 QIDP designations, but none of 12 approved antibacterals have new mechanism of action.

The Pink Sheet spoke with CEOs of antibiotic firm Zavante and antifungal specialist Amplyx as well as a BARDA official during a roundtable discussion at the recent BIO convention about what's needed to boost antimicrobial drug development, including "push" and "pull" incentives for drug makers.

Before election day, the idea of a new transferrable exclusivity incentive seemed like an extreme long shot for enactment. But now advocates think it has a real chance – and a strategy to redraft the idea to answer Democratic critics and avoid a high CBO score.