Project description
Effective pipeline advances antimicrobial peptides to fight antibiotic resistance
The increasing antibiotic resistance among known and new pathogens is a serious public health concern. A promising solution to this growing challenge is on the horizon. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small peptides that are part of the innate immune system of many organisms. They have a plethora of inhibitory effects on bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses. The European Innovation Council-funded MaxImmun project aims to demonstrate the ability to identify potential promoters of AMPs that can make it through the late phases of pharmaceutical development, targeting a phase I clinical trial. The project will holistically enhance knowledge on the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and AMP regulation, identify and optimise high-potential candidates, and evaluate their efficacy in preclinical trials.
Objective
The MaxImmun project aims at preventing and treating infections, and situations of conflict between the host and its microbiota, by developing a disruptive technology based on molecules that boost antimicrobial peptides (AMP) of the innate immune system. To face the problem of antibiotic resistance, this high-potential technology may be relevant both in situations of endemic infections in the developing world, and infectious or inflammatory pathologies in industrialized countries. Our objective is to establish the proof-of-concept that among a series of hit molecules identified for their capacity to promote AMPs, a small subgroup may qualify to lead molecules that can then be pushed into the late phases of the R&D pipeline, with the perspective of a phase I clinical trial. To achieve this transition, our project will range from the comprehension of microbial mechanisms leading to antibiotic resistance, to the comprehension of AMP regulations, the identification of molecules and their optimization by medicinal chemistry, and the characterization and evaluation of their protective efficacy in pre-clinical validation models. Thus, we expect to develop innovative molecules as future antimicrobial drug candidates.
Fields of science
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug discovery
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinemedicinal chemistry
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomolecules
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsantibiotics
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug resistanceantibiotic resistance
Keywords
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-EIC - HORIZON EIC GrantsCoordinator
75230 Paris
France