Start-up dedicated to developing new antibiotics

Science Breakthrough of the Year Nominee: Start-up Develops New Drug to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

Introduction

It all began with basic research: While conducting laboratory experiments, a team at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) came across an active agent against multidrug-resistant bacteria with a fundamental difference to antibiotics developed to date. The researchers have since established a start-up to develop a new drug based on this agent. The entrepreneurs have now been nominated for Science Breakthrough of the Year in the Science Start-Up category at the international Falling Walls summit.

The Problem of Antibiotic Resistance

Rising numbers of bacteria are developing resistance to antibiotics. Studies have shown that hundreds of thousands of people die every year due to infections with antibiotic-resistant pathogens. One group of bacteria alone – methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is commonly found in hospitals – causes tens of thousands of deaths each year.

A New Approach to Antibiotics

A research team at TUM has discovered an active agent to which multi-resistant MRSA bacteria are unlikely to develop resistance. “While conventional antibiotics target either the cell wall of bacteria or their metabolic system, we aim to permanently impair protein transport and energy balance in the bacteria, which prevents them from multiplying or developing resistances,” explains Stephan Sieber, Professor of Organic Chemistry. Sieber has founded a start-up together with his former doctoral student, Dr. Robert Macsics, to continue developing the new agent.

The Mode of Action

The foundations for this innovation were laid in the laboratories at TUM. “It was pure basic research to begin with,” emphasizes Sieber. “We tested hundreds of different agents in cultures with Staphylococcus aureus and came across a molecule that kills the bacteria off very effectively. We then examined the mode of action of this molecule, which we call PK150.” The results showed that PK150 has a fundamentally different mode of action to conventional antibiotics. Instead of suppressing biochemical processes, PK150 stimulates the excretion of proteins in the cell wall. Key enzymes are discharged from the cells and, in effect, the cell walls begin to digest themselves. At the same time, the molecule blocks the metabolic system, which means the cell cannot store any more energy and dies. Due to this dual mode of action, it is exceptionally unlikely that bacteria will develop mutations with resistances to this agent.

Start-up Development and Support

“Once it became clear that this molecule is a promising candidate for the development of a new antibiotic, we both knew we wanted to develop the agent,” recalls Sieber. “It is suitable for combating Staphylococcus aureus and other multidrug-resistant bacteria that are gram-positive, which means they have a single layer cell wall.” TUM applied for a patent for the structure of the optimized molecule for the first time in 2017 while Sieber and Macsics began the search for investors. Even during the coronavirus pandemic, the two researchers secured the support of the Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund following a virtual pitch.

Soon after, in 2021, the duo founded smartbax – one of the first start-ups accepted into the new TUM Venture Lab ChemSPACE. Each TUM Venture Lab specializes in a significant technological field. Start-up teams benefit from specific technical infrastructure, tailored training programs, expertise in the relevant market and global industry networks. Smartbax now has three permanent employees, with Stephan Sieber assisting as a scientific consultant. In addition to developing the active agent, the company is working on other strategies to combat drug-resistant bacteria. It aims to have its first drug candidates ready for clinical trials within a few years.

Recognition at Falling Walls Summit

The Falling Walls jury identified the team’s work as one of the most potentially significant breakthroughs of the year. The eponymous charitable foundation hosts the Falling Walls Science Summit on November 9 each year. The event marks the fall of the Berlin Wall and strives to highlight the walls torn down by science to a wide audience. The summit is one of the most important events linking research with wider society and is also a key date in the scientific calendar. Smartbax has been nominated along with 24 other start-ups from Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Australia.

Conclusion

The development of a new drug to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria by the start-up smartbax, founded by researchers from TUM, showcases the potential of basic research in addressing global challenges. With its unique mode of action and focus on sustainable development goals, this breakthrough has been recognized as a significant contribution to the field. By continuing to develop innovative solutions and collaborating with various stakeholders, smartbax aims to make a lasting impact in the fight against drug-resistant bacteria.

Sources:

1. Nominees for Science Breakthrough of the Year: https://falling-walls.com/science-summit/winners/
2. BioCORE project: http://go.tum.de/206793
3. Entrepreneurship at TUM: https://www.tum.de/en/innovation/entrepreneurship

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

The article addresses the issue of antibiotic resistance and the development of a new drug to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria. This is directly related to SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. It is also connected to SDG 9, which focuses on promoting sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases.
• SDG 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending.

The development of a new drug to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria aligns with the target of ending epidemics of communicable diseases (including antibiotic-resistant infections) under SDG 3.3. Additionally, the research and development efforts to develop this new drug contribute to the target of enhancing scientific research and technological capabilities under SDG 9.5.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of deaths caused by infections with antibiotic-resistant pathogens
• Number of new drug candidates ready for clinical trials
• Investment in research and development for antibiotic resistance

The article mentions that hundreds of thousands of people die every year due to infections with antibiotic-resistant pathogens. This can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards the target of ending epidemics of communicable diseases (including antibiotic-resistant infections) under SDG 3.3. The article also mentions that the company aims to have its first drug candidates ready for clinical trials within a few years. The number of new drug candidates ready for clinical trials can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards the target of enhancing scientific research and technological capabilities under SDG 9.5. Additionally, the article mentions that the researchers secured the support of the Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund, indicating investment in research and development for antibiotic resistance.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: eurekalert.org

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