ENABLE-2 aiming to extend the front against resistant bacteria

Almost four decades since the discovery of the most recent new antibiotic class to reach the market, a research team at Uppsala University reported a highly publicized breakthrough when they in 2024 succeeded in identifying a molecule with potent activity against the multi-drug resistant bacteria that WHO pinpoints as the most critical to develop novel treatments for. Last winter, more positive news came as the Swedish government granted ENABLE-2 – the international antibiotic platform with a hub at Uppsala University’s Faculty of Pharmacy – continued funding of SEK 100 million over four years.

“This is a very positive message that gives us long-term stability and sends an encouraging message throughout Sweden and Europe that the development of new antibiotics remains a priority and that we will be here to support researchers with promising drug candidates through the initial phases until concept validation,” states Anders Karlén, coordinator of ENABLE-2 and Professor of Computer-aided drug design.

The platform builds upon experiences from ENABLE, the fruitful collaboration between the EU and the European pharmaceutical industry that generated several promising molecules, one of which has undergone a phase I study with a positive outcome. The effective coordination of ENABLE conducted by the Faculty of Pharmacy contributed to consolidating Uppsala University's frontline position in the field of antibiotics and today ENABLE-2 continues to attract widespread international interest.

“Resistant bacteria pose an increasingly acute threat to our global health, causing more than 30,000 deaths per year in Europe alone. This is a challenge that we must face with joint forces, and after initially only accepting Swedish applications, we now welcome publicly funded research groups throughout Europe, which has resulted in ENABLE-2 receiving 38 high-quality applications, nine of which we have accepted into our platform,” says Anders Karlén.

ENABLE-2 unites expertise in Sweden, Denmark and the Baltics. Together they form a well-organized machine that offers resources and knowledge to guide accepted programmes through the early critical stages until other support structures step in. The platform recently also established an incubator for early evaluation and validation of new substances, and the ambition is to continue to broaden the selection of promising candidates.

“We strive to welcome the best programmes, and with the majority of early antibiotic development taking place in the global biotech industry, we aim to widen our offer to also include private actors in need of public support to take the next step. To accomplish this, we must find additional funding, and that we are now looking at four more years has already opened up several interesting opportunities,” states Anders Karlén.

Text: Magnus Alsne, photo: Mikael Wallerstedt