Proteasome Inhibitors As Reversers Of Resistance To Artemisinin-based Antimalarials
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$473,534.00
Summary
Current antimalarial control is highly dependent on Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACTs), which makes recent reports of decreased clinical efficacy of artemisinins extremely concerning. This project will develop proteasome inhibitors to synergise the activity of artemisinins - effectively reversing resistance. We will confirm that the selected compounds have good bioavailability, low cytotoxicity in human cell lines and efficacy in mouse models of malaria.
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.
OctapeptinX Potentiators To Treat XDR Gram-negative Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,377,149.00
Summary
There is an urgent need for the development of new antibiotics to treat drug-resistant infections, with the World Health Organisation and other agencies warning of a critical threat to human health. Potentiators are drugs that help obsolete antibiotics regain activity against resistant bacteria. We aim to develop a novel class of potentiators, the octapeptins, to resurrect the activity of old antibiotics so they can be used to treat infections caused by highly-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.
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
Development Of A New Class Of Broad-Stage Antimalarial Agents
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$729,037.00
Summary
In 2017, there were almost 220 million cases of malaria across 90 different countries, associated with 435,000 deaths, and with 65-70% of all malaria deaths tragically being children under the age of 5 years old. No significant progress in reducing global malaria cases has been made over the last 4 years and the need for new and better treatments remains dire. In this research and development plan, we will develop novel and safer drugs for the treatment of drug resistant malaria.
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.