A SCOTTISH life sciences firm is developing a new generation of antibiotics able to tackle so-called “superbugs” such as MRSA and C-Difficile.
Oban-based Aquapharm claims to have discovered a chemical compound from under the sea that could be used to kill bacteria that are resistant to currently-available drugs.
The compound, known as “AQP-182”, is one of a number of “druggable” new molecules identified by Aquapharm from its collection of more than 10,000 marine micro-organisms.
Five chemical entities, including AQP-182, are now in pre- clinical development at Aquapharm for the treatment of bacterial infections resistant to existing therapies.
The firm plans to begin a clinical trial of AQP-182 in the second half of next year. It says its discovery has already been validated by “third-party contract research organisations with gold standard comparators of antibiotics”.
Aquapharm’s chief scientific officer, Dr Tim Morley, said: “We are very pleased with the output of our drug discovery platform based on marine micro organisms. From an initial screening of a small portion of our natural product library, we have identified 16 compounds belonging to totally novel and diverse chemical classes.”
He said AQP-182 was the most advanced of the compounds and had a “promising” profile that is extremely relevant for the treatment of resistant bacterial infections.
Earlier this year Aquapharm, which is run by former Ardana chief executive Simon Best, unveiled a partnership deal with Australian scientists to develop ingredients for drugs and toiletries using its marine micro-organisms.
In May, the firm struck a deal with the Medical Research Council to develop treatments for irritable bowel syndrome.
