Transcript Document
TBD-UK: The UK response in the discovery and development of new TB drugs. Dr Geoff Coxon Deputy Leader & Director of Medicinal Chemistry, TBD-UK APPG-TB New Tools meeting HoC 23rd June 2011 www.tbd-uk.org.uk Why are we here today? • We all know the facts and figures about TB New tools urgently required: Rapid, robust, reliable & accurate diagnostics Vaccines Key Biomarkers New drugs Why new TB drugs? • Treatment takes 6 to 9 months • Contributes to low compliance, resistance and relapse • Co-infection with HIV/AIDS is limits the use of current drugs • No new drugs since the 1960s! • New drugs urgently needed to reduce treatment time, combat resistance and be compatible with HIV/AIDS sufferers The Challenge ! Broad spectrum antibiotics Drug regime for drug susceptible TB State of the current development pipeline • Long & Very complex with high rates of attrition • Highly multi disciplinary • Very expensive - £100s millions • No commercial market to sustain the development pipeline Current strategy: • TB Alliance is the “Global Coordinator” working with partners in academia and pharmaceutical industry • UK can increase its’ established role within this strategy State of the current Global development pipeline Start Early Stage Discovery Basic Science Identification of new “actives” Exploratory Development Pre-clinical Clinical Full Development Numerous projects in UK and globally from academia and pharmaceutical industry At least 30 known projects to discover new actives At least 6 known projects 8 projects at Phase I and II 3 projects including REMox-TB (UCL & St Andrews) at Phase III None at launch & phase IV (since 1960s) Finish Progressing BUT grossly insufficient The UK perspective: TB Drug discovery UK (TBD-UK) • Funded for 2 years in 2009 by the Medical Research Council • UK wide consortia of academic and industrial partners involved in TB drug discovery and development research • Goal: To engage the UK in coordinated research and maximise it’s contribution to global efforts to facilitate drug development and provide new drugs at the clinic TBD-UK: What has been achieved so far? • New class of anti-TB agent identified (others now integrated into TBD-UK) • New basic science breakthrough discoveries in drug targets • IMI-EU framework 7 pre-DICT consortia formed to support “models” • Working TBD-UK blueprint created to guide all UK research • Significant UK outreach with 40+ researchers engaged in collaboration • International outreach via website www.tbd-uk.org.uk TBD-UK: Conclusion & Future direction • UK science ready to integrate with DFID & BIS policy to make real impact • Development of public private partnerships is a key factor • Dialogue with pharmaceutical industry, MRC, NGOs, Charities and DFID essential to move forward and maximise UK potential • APPG-TB round table meeting with all parties should be the next step to achieve our common goals in finding new TB drugs