New sustainable treatment strategies for infectious diseases

During the last 30 years only 2 new classes of antibiotics have been introduced to the market and today there are only 10-fold candidates in late clinical development.

In order to meet the global treat with resistant bacteria, we need to change out mindset regarding the treatment of infectious diseases. We need a large battery of available treatments that can be used in a smart, strategic and sustainable way. We also need treatments effective against multidrug resistant strains. An antimicrobial compounds with new mechanism of action is one part of the puzzle.

Within RISE we work with several research- and innovation projects focusing on antimicrobial peptides as a new treatment strategies for infectious diseases.

One example is the EU funded project FORMAMP, coordinated by SP. The aim is to develop new, efficient formulations of antimicrobial peptides for local treatment of infections in skin and lungs, as an alternative to systemic treatment with traditional antibiotics.

Another example is a research project where Camilla Björn, PhD student at Sahlgrenska academy, Gothenburg’s University and employed by SP, in her recent thesis show promising results regarding effect, toxicity and resistance of specific antimicrobial peptides. The peptides also show anti-inflammatory properties and therefore a great potential for further clinical development for local treatment of infection and inflammation.

In order to accelerate the development of new antibiotics to the market and to patients new infrastructures and business models are required. RISE is by SP Process Development a partner in the private-public-partnership project IMI-ENABLE, a drug development platform in which new antibiotic projects can get preclinical and clinical work performed in a strategic and time-efficient way by experts involved in the project.

Contact:

Helena Bysell
helena.bysell@sp.se
070-6756024

Camilla Björn
camilla.bjorn@sp.se
070-3265995

Nicolaas Schipper
nicolaas.schipper@sp.se
070-2177820

Facts: 

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat to human health as the development of resistant bacteria jeopardizes our ability to treat infections and perform modern healthcare procedures. Antibiotics is a valuable and limited resource and should be handled with care. There is a need to increase the number and efficiency of available methods to prevent, detect and treat infections, but also to change behaviors and generate more knowledge.

AMR is not only a question for healthcare. AMR affects us all. 

SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden, is a part of RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden) that works for generating more knowledge and solutions that can address the global challenges with antimicrobial resistance.

This communication is part of the campaign”World Antibiotic Awareness Week” initiated by WHO.