As per the agreement, TB Alliance and AstraZeneca are expected to contribute TB drug discovery projects into a joint portfolio that will be co-developed by both parties. Sharing resources and creating a path to clinical-stage development will improve the efficiency of both organisations’ research programs.
By focusing on new compound classes, the drug candidates identified by the collaboration are likely to be effective against both drug-resistant and drug-sensitive tuberculosis.
The initial set of projects contributed by the TB Alliance results from its ongoing collaboration with several researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, Rutgers University and New York Medical College.
AstraZeneca’s projects come from its TB research center in Bangalore, India. The joint portfolio will be resourced by a core group of scientists based at AstraZeneca’s TB research center in Bangalore with expertise and funding provided by both organizations.
Reportedly, the compounds identified in this collaboration will also be tested in combination with other therapies as part of the Critical Path to TB Drug Regimens, a cross-sector initiative intended to speed TB drug regimens to patients who need them.
Mel Spigelman, president and CEO of TB Alliance, said: “Collaboration is absolutely vital to developing the tools needed to truly revolutionize the way TB is treated and overcome the global TB epidemic.”
Les Hughes, vice president of infection discovery at AstraZeneca, said: “This collaboration is part of the global partnership that will be needed to conquer the TB epidemic. We are excited to be working with the TB Alliance to help move forward the drug discovery program and quickly speed promising candidates into clinical development.”