New antibiotic platform ENABLE-2 crosses the North Sea

ENABLE-2 expands its project portfolio with Strathclyde Minor Groove Binders, a program based in Glasgow and the University of Strathclyde. With this collaboration, the platform takes the step into Europe in its search for new promising antibiotics.

(Image removed) Anders Karlén and Diarmaid Hughes, ENABLE-2

As ENABLE-2 received continued funding from the Swedish Research Council, the platform initiated an open call for proposals with the aim to expand its project portfolio with international projects. The response was very good and generated applications from six European countries, and after a review by an independent expert committee, coordinator Anders Karlén can finally welcome the Strathclyde Minor Groove Binders program to ENABLE-2.

(Image removed) ENABLE-2 welcomes the University of Strathclyde

“We are very happy with the great interest our platform meets beyond Sweden's borders, and not least the fact that we have now signed a collaboration agreement with a highly promising project at the University of Strathclyde,” says Anders Karlén, Professor of Computer-aided drug design, and coordinator of ENABLE-2.

High on the ENABLE-2 agenda is also the platform's first annual meeting. On June 19-20, Uppsala University will welcome 40 participants from seven countries to discuss the results of the four ongoing programs as well as to plan for the future development of these programs. In connection with this meeting, the expert committee will review the ongoing programs and assess additional applications from European countries.

“Almost four decades have passed since the discovery of the most recent new antibiotic class to reach the market. The slow pace of discovery and development is a contributing factor to antibiotic resistance currently being one of the world's most common causes of death. The need for new antibiotics can hardly be overestimated, and with an infrastructure in full operation and a project portfolio showing very positive progress, it is our responsibility to be prepared as soon as new opportunities appear,” states Diarmaid Hughes, ENABLE-2 co-coordinator.

FACTS

  • ENABLE-2 is an international platform that offers project support in the development of antibacterial drugs.
  • ENABLE-2 is coordinated at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University.

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CONTACT

(Image removed) Anders Karlén, Professor
Faculty of Pharmacy
Anders.Karlen@ilk.uu.se

Text: Magnus Alsne, photo: Mikael Wallerstedt, University of Strathclyde

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