GSK Increases Research Effort to Target Drug-Resistant Gram Negative
Pathogens
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:
GSK) today announced that it has signed an agreement with the Defense
Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), to
identify and develop a new class of antibacterials targeting both Gram
negative biothreats and conventional Gram negative hospital pathogens. The
agreement awards GSK up to $41 million over a five-year period, while GSK
will contribute substantially to this collaborative effort by providing
supplemental staff and by covering other program costs.
The research will focus on such Gram negative pathogens as Pseudomonas,
Klebsiella and Acinetobacter, which are increasingly resistant to all known
classes of antibiotics. These bacteria can cause a significant health
threat to patients, particularly those in intensive care units. Gram
negative infection is associated with an increase in morbidity, and in
severe cases can lead on to septic shock and an increase in mortality.
Though there are antibiotics in development from established classes, there
is only one novel class systemic agent in clinical trials to address this
mounting problem.
"The Department of Defense is excited about the opportunity of teaming
with GSK and leveraging their capabilities and resources to develop
antibacterial compounds for Gram negative biothreat agents," said
Lieutenant Colonel Calvin Carpenter at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.
"This research is needed to identify and deliver antibacterials from
entirely new classes to defend against potential biothreat outbreaks and
hospital-acquired infections."
The challenge of developing new antibacterial treatments is compounded
by the fact that Gram negative bacteria are difficult to attack because
they have an outer membrane surrounding the bacterial cell wall that
interferes with drug penetration. New treatments must not only be toxic to
the pathogen, but must also overcome the barriers to entry into the cell.
"Through this innovative collaboration with DTRA, GSK will focus its
experience and resource in drug discovery on new antibacterial solutions
that address biothreat pathogens as well as conventional Gram negative
infections acquired in the hospital," said Dr. David Payne, Group Director,
Antibacterial Research, Infectious Diseases Center for Excellence in Drug
Discovery (ID CEDD) at GSK.
With few new antibiotic classes being developed in the last 40 years
and growing resistance of various types of bacteria to treatment, GSK is
progressing a growing portfolio of antibiotic candidates. The ID CEDD,
formed earlier this year, is exclusively dedicated to discovering and
developing novel treatments for bacterial and other types of infections.
"GSK is committed to identifying and progressing novel antibacterials
that address this rapidly emerging public health threat," said Dr. Patrick
Vallance, Senior Vice President, GSK Drug Discovery. "This agreement with
DTRA provides a substantial resource towards address the challenges of this
area and will enable us to accelerate the delivery of new Gram negative
antibacterials for patients."
In addition to this agreement, GSK previously announced further support
for its Gram negative research program from the Wellcome Trust through
their £91 million Seeding Drug Discovery initiative which aims to assist
researchers and companies, small and large, to take forward early-stage
drug discovery projects in small molecule therapeutics. It is intended that
these projects will then be taken up for further research and development
by industry.
About the Defense Threat Reduction Agency
The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is an agency within the U.S.
Department of Defense dedicated to leveraging the latest scientific
resources, expertise and capabilities to ensure the United States remains
ready and able to address present and future chemical and biological
threats. For more information, visit http://www.dtra.mil.
About GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline -- one of the world's leading research-based
pharmaceutical and healthcare companies -- is committed to improving the
quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live
longer. For more information and the company's product development
pipeline, visit GSK at http://www.gsk.com.
GSK has an established heritage in the development of novel anti-
infectives to meet clinical needs. GSK is committed to the discovery,
development and commercialization of innovative, potent antibacterials. Our
approach includes in-house research using leading technologies, as well as
actively seeking in-licensing opportunities and collaborative
relationships.
SOURCE GlaxoSmithKline
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