European project to tackle antimicrobial resistance

ND4BB has been launched to stimulate antibiotic development in Europe. Combacte-Magnet (Combatting Bacterial Resistance in Europe – Molecules Against Gram-Negative Infections) will bring innovative studies and activities related to prevention and treatment of infections caused by multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria. University Medical Center Utrecht is the project’s managing entity.

The project will investigate a new approach for preventing respiratory infections in intensive care unit (ICU) patients and new treatment options for patients with life-threatening infections due to multi-drug resistant gramnegative bacterium (MDR-GNB).

The project will deliver groundbreaking multinational phase 1, 2 and 3 studies in adult and paediatric ICU patients with MEDI3902, MedImmune’s monoclonal antibody being investigated for the prevention of nosocomial pneumonia caused by a highly drug resistant bacterium, P. aeruginosa. In September 2014, the US Food & Drug Administration granted Fast Track designation to MEDI3902. Hasan Jafri, Combacte-Magnet coordinator, senior director, clinical research and development, infectious disease & vaccines, at MedImmune, said: “As part of MedImmune’s commitment to bringing novel and effective biologic anti-infectives to patients, collaboration with worldrenowned academic partners, such as those involved with Combacte-Magnet, makes the most sense. It is an innovative model for anti-infective development.”