Gates Foundation, Novo Nordisk Foundation and Wellcome: Innovations for Gram-Negative Antibiotic Discovery (LOI)

Please contact the Research Authority in advance if you consider applying (ra-tec@trdf.technion.ac.il).

The program focuses on the discovery of direct-acting small molecule antibiotics with broad-spectrum activity against Enterobacteriaceae, using Klebsiella spp. as the pathogen to initiate a discovery program.  Proposals must address at least one of the following themes:

1. Development of genome-scale tools or other innovative technologies to identify new chemical starting points linked to targets as well as assessment of potential drug target vulnerability, singly or in combination.
2. Development of innovative technologies to select targets and chemical leads with a very high bar to resistance.
3. Gaining a better understanding of the chemistry underlying penetration of compounds to different compartments of the bacterial cell to build a platform to rapidly test whether compounds reach and accumulate at their target.
4. Development of novel and coordinated approaches to identifying new chemical leads for clinically or in vivo validated drug targets, for which there is currently no agent in Phase 3.

Funding: Up to $5 million over 3 years.  Exploratory projects with shorter durations or lower budgets that focus on high-risk, innovative areas are strongly encouraged and will be given priority.

The program particularly encourages applications from ‘low- and middle-income countries’ (LMICs) and projects led by women and other groups that are historically under-represented in the drug discovery field. All applications received will then be reviewed on their merits.

** If interested, register to a dedicated webinar on February 27, from 6:00 to 7:00 AM Pacific Time., for a comprehensive overview of the RFP details and an opportunity to have your questions answered. To participate in the webinar, please register and submit your questions in advance. The webinar will be recorded and available on this challenge page after the session.

https://gcgh.grandchallenges.org/challenge/innovations-gram-negative-antibiotic-discovery