Arrevus Inc., a privately-held Raleigh, N.C.-based biotech designing proline-rich antimicrobial peptides for the treatment of infectious disease, has received a $1.5 million fast-track grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to expedite research on the effects of its lead candidate, ARV-1502, on bacteremia caused by multi-drug resistant pathogens. The award follows the closing of a $1.3 million series A financing from Tokyo-based MBL Venture Capital Co. Ltd. late last year that has helped the company accelerate its progress.