Potent Antibiotics Against Drug-resistant Tuberculosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$531,410.00
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant killer and caused 1.7 million deaths in 2009. The disease affects all countries, including Australia, in which the incidence in the indigenous population is 14 times higher than that in the non-indigenous population. We will develop a new anti-TB drug that can replace or enhance the current drugs that are not effective against drug resistant TB.
Development Of Antimalarial Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$573,676.00
Summary
Human histone deacetylases (HDACs) are enzymes clinically validated as targets for cancer chemotherapy. Different HDAC enzymes are important for survival of infectious organisms, such as protozoan Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria. This project will develop promising drug leads that kill the parasites without damaging human cells through preclinical studies in mice towards a future clinical trial for the treatment of malaria in humans.
A New Approach For The Treatment Of COPD And Lung Cancer Using Inhaled Retrometabolic HSP90 Inhibitors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$638,310.00
Summary
The inflammatory lung disease Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major disease burden in Australia with over 1 million sufferers and being the fourth biggest killer. Lung cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to treat with 5-year survival rates being below 20%. There is a pressing need for new therapies to treat these diseases and this project will develop new drugs designed to inhibit an underlying mechanism present in both diseases, with minimal side-effects.
Manufacture And Testing Of Next Generation Orthopaedic Implants Harnessing Periosteum's Regenerative Power
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$508,314.00
Summary
Tissue defects, e.g. due to trauma or tumor removal, are too large to heal without reconstructive surgery. Complications associated with defect repair may diminish the patient's quality of life and productivity, posing significant medical and psychosocial costs. Here we propose a plan to define technical specifications for next generation, "smart" orthopaedic implants that deliver cells and the signals they need to build new tissue using nature's paradigms.
Non-invasive Therapy For Keratoconus – Ultrasound Enhanced Delivery Of Riboflavin To Cornea For Transepithelial Corneal Collagen Crosslinking
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,658.00
Summary
Keratoconus is a degenerative eye disease which causes corneal thinning. The disease causes visual distortions & loss of vision, and is commonly treated with Corneal Cross-Linking. This involves scraping off the outer protective layer of the cornea so that treatment can be applied. This is painful for patients and carries many risks. This grant assists in the development of a device that is able to deliver the reagent in a painless, non-invasive, effective and safe way.
Novel Membrane-targeted Antibiotics Against Drug-resistant Gram-positive Bacterial Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,351,496.00
Summary
This project aims to develop a best in class antibiotic, Vancapticin, with superior efficacy, broader spectra of action and improved therapeutic index than existing therapies for Gram-positive (G+ve) bacterial infections. The research team has identified lead candidates that offer equivalent &/or superior potency, efficacy & pharmacokinetic profiles compared to several clinical comparators. NHMRC Development funding is required to select a candidate for an Investigative New Drug application.
Development Of An Extended Release Oral Formulation Of Milrinone For Patients With Advanced Heart Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$467,083.00
Summary
Heart failure is a debilitating condition associated with frequent hospitalization. Milrinone is an effective intravenous drug used to treat acute deteriorations. Previously, oral milrinone failed because of the lack of availability of appropriate formulations. We have developed an oral formulation which provides stable release of the medication. This application will evaluate the effectiveness of the drug in man and provide the documentation to take the project forward for partnership with indu ....Heart failure is a debilitating condition associated with frequent hospitalization. Milrinone is an effective intravenous drug used to treat acute deteriorations. Previously, oral milrinone failed because of the lack of availability of appropriate formulations. We have developed an oral formulation which provides stable release of the medication. This application will evaluate the effectiveness of the drug in man and provide the documentation to take the project forward for partnership with industry as a means to clinical translation.Read moreRead less
Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) is a key driver of asthma and allergic rhinitis. We have developed drug-like compounds that block the synthesis of PGD2 by inhibiting the hematopoietic prostaglandin D2 synthase (HPGD2S) enzyme. This project aims to develop these compounds further to ultimately treat a subset of the asthma population that are not well treated, refractory asthmatics.
Development Of Small Molecules For The Treament Of Colon Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$684,379.00
Summary
Colon cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer related deaths in Australia and in the developed world. Despite improvements in prevention and therapies, there remains a considerable need for efficacious therapeutic options. We have identified a lead compound inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. We will progress this series further toward clinical trials and aim to provide patients with a new orally available molecule with potent activity against colon cancer.
Isoform Selective PI3 Kinase Inhibitors For Cancer, Thrombosis And Inflammatory Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$474,473.00
Summary
Inhibitors of the PI3 kinase family of enzymes have potential as therapeutics in diseases such as cancer, thrombosis and inflammatory disease. In this project the investigators will develop a new class of PI3 kinase inhibitors they have discovered, optimizing their pharmaceutical properties and evaluating them in models of disease. The aim is to develop a candidate for human clinical studies.