Rostra Therapeutics project aims to develop effective antifungals for CF
The company was recently awarded funding from the CF AMR Syndicate
Rostra Therapeutics has launched a research project with the support of funding from the Cystic Fibrosis Antimicrobial Resistance (CF AMR) Syndicate that seeks to identify new small molecules that can destroy fungi or stop them from growing and causing infections in people with cystic fibrosis (CF).
Rostra recently won an undisclosed amount of a £3 million ($3.8 million) award from the CF AMR Syndicate that it will draw from, using its technology platform called Strathclyde Minor Groove Binders (S-MGBs) that are designed to bind to multiple sites on DNA and stop infectious agents, such as fungi, from dividing and growing in number.
According to Rostra, S-MGBs have shown strong antifungal activity, including against all fungi highlighted as “critical” in the Fungal Priority Pathogen List by the World Health Organization.
In CF, thick mucus builds up in the airways, providing microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, a breeding ground where they can easily grow. The mucus also blocks the airways, making it difficult for infections to clear up, which can worsen respiratory symptoms.
The need for new antimicrobials
Growing resistance to existing antimicrobials has made finding new treatments urgent.
“Lung infections are hard to treat due to antimicrobial resistance, which is why we’re delighted to see the CF AMR Syndicate support these projects that will develop new antimicrobial treatments for CF,” said Paula Sommer, PhD, head of research at the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
Rostra expects its small molecules won’t be liable to antimicrobial resistance, an important feature for better treatments for infections that are hard to treat, such as those that affect people with CF.
“We are delighted to be working with the scientific and clinical experts at the CF AMR Syndicate to develop our novel approach to treating life-threatening fungal lung diseases in patients living with CF,” Colin Suckling, PhD, Rostra’s chief scientific officer, said in a company press release. “The funding will help to identify molecules that have the potential to be developed into medicines to treat patients living with CF, including those with infections caused by antimicrobial resistant pathogens [harmful microorganisms].”
The CF AMR Syndicate is a joint effort by the Medicines Discovery Catapult, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, and LifeArc to bring experts from industry, research, and the clinic together with patients to combine their perspectives on new treatments for CF where current options often fall short.
Rostra is one of the six companies to win funding for early-stage novel antimicrobial projects under the LifeArc-funded Collaborative Discovery Program (CDP). Bioversys, another awardee, will use up to £500,000 ($636,000) to develop small molecules that can control hard-to-treat nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections in CF.
“By supporting awardees through the early development phases … the CF AMR Syndicate’s CDP will position these projects to attract onward funding and investment for further development,” said Beverley Isherwood, PhD, strategy leader of infectious diseases at Medicines Discovery Catapult.
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