---
title: "Armata Shares Surge on Progress Toward Late-Stage Trial of Superbug Treatment"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/293234406.md"
description: "Armata Pharmaceuticals shares surged 18% after announcing key milestones for its Phase 3 trial of AP-SA02, a bacteriophage therapy targeting superbugs like MRSA. The company submitted final testing plans to the FDA and completed engineering runs at its LA facility. Armata received an additional $2.5 million from the U.S. Defense Department, bringing total funding to $28.7 million. CEO Deborah Birx emphasized that advancing the Phase 3 study remains the top priority."
datetime: "2026-07-20T15:29:45.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/293234406.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/293234406.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/293234406.md)
generator: "portal-rs"
---

# Armata Shares Surge on Progress Toward Late-Stage Trial of Superbug Treatment

By Anvee Bhutani

Armata Pharmaceuticals shares rose Monday after the company said it took a major step toward the launch of a late-stage trial for its experimental superbug treatment, AP-SA02. 

In morning trading, Armata shares were up 18% at $5.31. 

The biotechnology company said it achieved key clinical, regulatory and manufacturing milestones supporting the planned launch of a Phase 3 trial of the treatment, and submitted its final testing plans to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The bacteriophage therapy targets so-called superbugs such as MRSA. 

The company also said it completed four engineering runs of AP-SA02 at its Los Angeles facility. Production of clinical trial material will be the next manufacturing step ahead of the planned Phase 3 study. 

Armata said it remains on track to begin the pivotal Phase 3 superiority study in the second half of 2026. The trial will evaluate AP-SA02 as an add-on treatment for severe Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, including MRSA, and is intended to support a future biologics license application. 

Separately, the company said it recently received an additional $2.5 million in funding from the U.S. Defense Department, bringing total funding under the award to $28.7 million. The new funding will support preparations for the Phase 3 trial, while Armata said it is also pursuing additional financing sources to fund the study. 

Chief Executive Deborah Birx said advancing AP-SA02 into Phase 3 remains the company's top priority. 

Armata also promoted David House to chief financial officer from senior vice president of finance and principal financial officer. 

Write to Anvee Bhutani at anvee.bhutani@wsj.com 

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 20, 2026 11:19 ET (15:19 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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> **Disclaimer: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.**