Mediated by Ascenion, the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and the Lead Discovery Center GmbH (LDC) have closed a collaboration agreement for the discovery of new anti-infectives against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a multi-drug resistant pathogen. MRSA causes an estimated number of 14,000 hospital infections per year, leading to about 2,000 deaths.
Based on an innovative approach originating from the HZI, the partners will combine their complementary know-how, capabilities and compound libraries to identify hits and transform them into validated leads ready to enter biopharmaceutical drug development. ‘There is a strong medical need for novel anti-infectives that can effectively combat resistant pathogens,’ says Dr Sabina Heim, Ascenion’s technology manager at the HZI. ‘We very much appreciate the partnership with the LDC as it enables us to move this promising approach towards application.’ Ascenion also helped the HZI to attract partial funding for the translational project from the Helmholtz Validation Fund. The HZI is providing additional financial support.
Find further information at: <link http: www.lead-discovery.de ldc-und-hzi-schliesen-partnerschaft-zur-entwicklung-neuer-wirk-stoffe-gegen-multiresistente-krankenhauskeime _blank external-link-new-window>Press release LDC
