Projektbeschreibung
Neue Antibiotika zur Bekämpfung der Arzneimittelresistenz erforschen
Das Auftreten von Antibiotikaresistenzen stellt eine ernsthafte Herausforderung für unsere Möglichkeiten dar, Infektionskrankheiten wirksam zu bekämpfen. Pharmaunternehmen stehen bei der Erforschung neuer Antibiotika aufgrund der fortschreitenden Entwicklung der Arzneimittelresistenz vor erheblichen Herausforderungen und Unwägbarkeiten. Bei bestimmten Krankheitserregern spielen Proteine als einzige Quelle für die Aufnahme lebenswichtiger Vitamine eine entscheidende Rolle. Durch die Nutzung neuer Kristallstrukturen ist es mittlerweile möglich, Moleküle zu konstruieren und zu synthetisieren, die eine allosterische Hemmung bei der Aufnahme mehrerer Vitamine auslösen. Im Rahmen des EU-finanzierten Projekts VitaminBlock werden umfassende Tests und vorkommerzielle Studien durchgeführt. Dabei soll der dringende Bedarf an neuen Antibiotika behandelt und ein vielversprechender Weg zur Bekämpfung der Antibiotikaresistenz aufgezeigt werden.
Ziel
Development of new antibiotics is crucial in future since antibiotic resistance is a rapidly growing problem, which severely threatens our ability to combat infectious diseases. Despite the numerous efforts by International Organisations and Governments, Pharmaceutical companies are reluctant to carry out the costly drug development, as the returns are uncertain and evolving drug resistance weakens their business case further. New solutions are thus called for. We have obtained fundamental insight in the mechanisms and proteins, which mediate uptake of multiple B-type vitamins that are indispensable for bacterial growth. The proteins are the only route for vitamin acquisition in many notorious pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae, against which novel antibiotics are urgently needed. Based on our breakthrough crystal structures, we have designed and synthesized molecules that allosterically inhibit the uptake of multiple vitamins. This has led to the discovery of several compounds having potential as antibiotic medicines. What is exciting, our approach enables to target specific pathogens, without affecting many beneficial strains, thereby being effective without causing adverse drug events, which is a major advantage compared to the traditional antibiotics. In the Proof of Concept project, we aim to explore the potential of the compounds for drug development and test them thoroughly, for obtaining important proof for potential partners and investors. In addition, we will carry out pre-commercialisation studies aiming at perfecting the commercialisation strategy, protecting the IP ad well as strengthen the network for the best possible commercialisation outcome. Given the technological and pre-commercial proof of concept will be successful, we are expecting our approach to raise a lot of interest in Pharmaceutical industry, racing to find new ways to tackle the antimicrobial resistance.
Wissenschaftliches Gebiet
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug discovery
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteins
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsantibiotics
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacyadverse drug reactions
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug resistanceantibiotic resistance
Programm/Programme
Thema/Themen
Finanzierungsplan
ERC-POC - Proof of Concept GrantGastgebende Einrichtung
9712CP Groningen
Niederlande