The national Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI) supports a research consortium for drug development to combat antibiotic resistances with an overall budget of CHF 2.1 million. The consortium consists of BioVersys AG, Basel, the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Wädenswil, the University of Applied Science North Western Switzerland (FHNW), Muttenz, and research groups of the Universities of Basel, Berne and Geneva.
BioVersys AG is leading the project as corporate partner, which is funded by the Commission of Technology and Innovation with a seven-digit contribution to develop new drugs to combat antibiotic resistances together with above mentioned Swiss research network in the areas of biology, chemistry and medicine. The emergence of bacterial pathogens that no longer respond to antibiotics is a global threat to public health according to the World Health Organization WHO. New therapies to combat antibiotic resistances are therefore urgently needed.
New strategy to tackle the development of resistance with novel drugs
The collaborative project follows a new strategy in the fight against resistant bacteria. Bacterial resistance mechanisms are targeted with novel small molecules already at a genetic level thereby rendering conventional antibiotics that have become ineffective efficacious again.
“This collaborative effort will, with the financial support of CTI, enable a new and highly innovative treatment option for infections with multi-drug resistant pathogens. and is exemplary for the strength of partnerships between Swiss academia and the biotech industry.” says Dr. Michel Pieren, Group Leader at BioVersys.
The goal is to develop a drug combination consisting of a novel class of therapeutic compounds called TRICs (Transcription Regulator Inhibitory Compound), which “switch off” bacterial resistance against a conventional antibiotic. The project should be finished in two to three years and lead to a clinical candidate molecule.
BioVersys AG is a privately held biopharmaceuticals company. It is a spin-off company from the ETH Zurich located in Basel. The company focuses on the research and development of new drugs and compounds, which switch off drug resistance within bacterial pathogens and thus restore the efficacy of existing antibiotics. The Team and the technology of BioVersys which have been awarded with the CTI Start-up Label in 2008 have already received multiple awards, such as Venture Kick, the Heuberger Winterthur Jungunternehmerpreis 2009, the Swiss TB Award, the Life Sciences Prize 2011, the Swiss Technology Award 2011 and the Jungunternehmerpreis Nordwestschweiz 2012.
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