Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and multi-drug resistance, where pathogens evolve to resist antibiotics, are recognized by the WHO as top global health threats, linked to 4.95 million deaths in 2019. The rise of multi-drug or pan-drug resistant strains could trigger the next global pandemic. Current treatments are costly, slow to develop, and face resistance risks. Innate immunity offers a promising solution by producing antimicrobial molecules, peptides, and proteins that directly inhibit bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Small molecules, known as Immune System Inducers (ISIs), can stimulate this natural defense mechanism. Building on this concept, IN-ARMOR brings together experts from 9 universities, research institutes, and 7 medical and industry partners across 9 EU countries. The project aims to develop a new class of ISI-based therapies to combat AMR and target the 13 most dangerous infections, including two priority-1 pathogens. IN-ARMOR focuses on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and gastrointestinal (GI) infections as initial targets. Novel compounds will be developed using in-silico methods and advanced nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems. The therapies will undergo preclinical validation for safety and efficacy, both in vitro and in vivo, to meet investigational medicinal product requirements.
Upon completion, IN-ARMOR will be prepared for clinical validation. Upon commercialization, IN-ARMOR could potentially save more than 4 million lives worldwide and result in the significant burden reduction of antibiotic development with long-term cost reduction impact of € 107 billion, whilst reducing the global disease burden by 96.84 million DALYs (disability-adjusted life years).
