B3*
aBACTER – Next generation antibiotics: Unprecedented mechanism and lack of resistance
Dr Franziska Mandl, TU Munich - aBACTER; Dr Mathias Hackl, TU Munich - aBACTER; Dr Christian Fetzer, TU Munich - aBACTER; Dr Elena Kunold, Karolinska Institut; Dr Philipp Le, TU Munich; Prof. Stephan Sieber, TU Munich
BayPAT
Challenge
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing threat with serious health and economic consequences. Newest data published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) showed again an increase of bacterial infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE). Moreover, the study revealed that these bacteria are responsible for about 25% of infections caused by antimicrobial resistant bacteria and almost 30% of AMR-related deaths. Approved antibiotics rapidly induce resistance in bacteria and only show limited treatment options in case of biofilms and persister cells. To overcome these limitations there is an urgent need for structurally novel antibacterial compounds with new modes of action lacking resistance development.
Technology
aBACTER is an innovative pre-seed project team focused on the development of novel antibiotics exhibiting excellent potency against multi-resistant bacteria to tackle these challenges. Our unique antibiotic profile shows a broad spectrum activity against Gram-positive WHO-priority pathogens, such as MRSA and VRE, with a good anti biofilm and anti persister activity as well as no detectable resistance development in these pathogens. Overall 350 compounds were generated and the proof of concept studies in mice of our lead substances show significant reduction of the bacterial load in heart and liver. Furthermore the pharmacokinetics of our leads were succensfull determined in vivo.
Commercial Opportunity
- Oral available systemic antibiotic
- Eradication of established biofilms
- Treatment of endocarditis
- Killing of persistent cells
Development Status
- Library containing 350 compounds generated
- In vitro characterization of key antibacterial properties
- Pharmacokinetic profiles determined
- Successful in vivo proof-of-concept for hit compound
Patent Situation
Filed in 2016. PCT nationalization in EU, US, Canada, Singapore, Japan and China.
Further Reading
not published yet