Debiopharm and Nobelex Biotech to develop antibiotics against N. Gonorrhoeae and enteric species
Initiated from Affinium technology platform
Debiopharm, a Switzerland-based biopharmaceutical company developing anti-infective and oncology therapeutics as well as companion diagnostics, is to collaborate with Nobelex Biotech, a Canadian developer of novel antimicrobial drugs, on two programmes to develop antibiotics targeting Neisseria gonorrhoeae and enteric species using a novel mechanism of action.
These programmes, which are from Affinium's FabI discovery platform acquired by Debiopharm in February, will lead to the development of narrow-spectrum antibiotics.
Nobelex, recently founded by Affinium's former management, will contribute their expertise in microbiology, medicinal chemistry and infectious diseases as well as their knowledge of the platform and experience in the development of innovative antibiotics. Debiopharm will bring its expertise in advancing projects through preclinical and clinical development to the partnership.
'Through this collaboration Debiopharm strengthens its position in the development of targeted antibiotics. These are the first new discovery projects initiated from Affinium's technology platform since Debiopharm's acquisition with its two clinical-stage molecules, Debio 1450 and Debio 1452,' said Andrés McAllister, Chief Scientific Officer at Debiopharm International. 'However, we will continue to initiate additional development projects from this rich platform for new narrow spectrum anti-infectives, having the potential to preserve the microbiome and to prevent acquired resistance.'
