Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Facebook Instagram Threads
    Global BiodefenseGlobal Biodefense
    Subscribe
    • Featured News
    • Funding
    • Directory
    • Jobs
    • Events
    Global BiodefenseGlobal Biodefense
    Medical Countermeasures

    CIDR-GSK Partnership Spotlights Antifolates for TB Drug Discovery

    By Global Biodefense StaffOctober 15, 2015
    Share
    Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Email

    Scientists at the Center for Infectious Disease Research (CIDR), partnered with the Tres Cantos Open Lab Foundation at global pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline to advance critically-needed treatments for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb).

    The research conducted through the partnership indicates that antifolates may be a candidate for continued tuberculosis drug discovery.

    “We thought we could identify antifolates with strong activity on Mtb, but we needed to collaborate with a leading edge pharmaceutical company to actually find them.”

    “With tuberculosis killing 1.5 million people every year and current drugs diminishing in their effectiveness, this antifolate research is critical for finding new ways to treat TB,” said David Sherman, Ph.D., a professor at the Center for Infectious Disease Research.

    Dr. Sherman and fellow CIDR researcher Anuradha Kumar, Ph.D., collaborated with GSK to curate a focused library of 2,508 potential antifolates, compounds that block production of folic acid and kill cells. The antifolates were then tested for activity against live Mtb and 17 active compounds were identified. The research revealed one antifolate is especially potent against Mtb, with numerous drug-like properties.

    ”The partnership with GSK was critical to the success of this project,” said Dr. Sherman. “We thought we could identify antifolates with strong activity on Mtb, but we needed to collaborate with a leading edge pharmaceutical company to actually find them.”

    Currently, antifolates are typically used in cancer chemotherapies and to treat bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections. There is also an approved antifolate used to treat the mycobacterial infection causing leprosy. However, work from the Sherman Lab and the Center for Infectious Disease Research demonstrated that analogues of the antifolate cancer chemotherapeutic methotrexate dramatically improved activity against TB in culture.

    “Our next steps are to expand the chemistry around these molecules to identify compounds that could ultimately be administered effectively in humans,” said Dr. Sherman. “These compounds could literally be lifesavers for millions of people.”

    CIDR is based in Seattle and is the largest independent, nonprofit organization in the U.S. focused solely on infectious disease research.

    Share. Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleEbola Can Persist in Semen More Than 9 Months
    Next Article Biodefense Headlines – October 18, 2015

    Related Stories

    New Method Improves Quantification of Ricin in Complex Matrices

    September 20, 2023

    Jurata Thin Film and CastleVax Awarded Grant to Advance Thermostabilized COVID-19 Booster

    September 20, 2023

    Mount Sinai to Lead Development of Pan-Coronavirus Vaccine Under New Federal Grant

    September 17, 2023

    Mass Spec for Rapid Detection of Biological Warfare Agents

    September 15, 2023
    News Scan

    Biodefense Headlines – 19 September 2023

    News Scan September 19, 2023

    News highlights on health security threats and countermeasures curated by Global Biodefense This week’s selections include a global survey of gain-of-function research; funding of an mRNA mpox vaccine; Nipah virus outbreak in India; field detection of threat agents with acoustic…

    Upcoming Events

    Oct 3
    Virtual Event Virtual Event
    October 3 - October 5

    OneLab Summit 2023

    Oct 3
    Virtual Event Virtual Event
    12:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT

    Public-Private Partnerships to Distribute, Dispense, and Administer Medical Countermeasures

    Oct 4
    Virtual Event Virtual Event
    10:00 am - 2:00 pm EDT

    Tunneling Nanotubes and Intracellular Protrusions Workshop

    Oct 12
    Virtual Event Virtual Event
    12:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT

    Public-Private Partnerships for Acceptance and Uptake of Medical Countermeasures

    View Calendar

    Subscribe to Global Biodefense

    Get the latest news on pathogens and preparedness

    © 2023 Stemar Media Group LLC
    • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Subscribe

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are okay with it.OkPrivacy policy