IMI Launches Brochure on ND4BB Programme

The Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) recently launched a brochure about its New Drugs 4 Bad Bugs (ND4BB) Programme, which COMBACTE is part of. The brochure describes the structure of ND4BB, and the projects underpinning it.

IMI is a partnership between the European Union and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). Their goal is to optimize the process of drug development and thus creating faster access to better medicines for patients.

IMI launched the ND4BB program in response to the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), as a result of European Commission’s call for an unparalleled collaboration for new antibiotics development. “Through ND4BB, the best and brightest of the pharmaceutical industry and medical science are pooling their knowledge and sharing data, findings and insights with each other. We are building an extensive network to span the continent. And there is interest elsewhere, too. By creating the perfect environment to develop new medicines we may eventually see new antibiotics get to the patients that need them. The foundation had now been laid. And it’s a game-changer” — Pierre Meulien, Executive Director IMI, 2016. Read the full article in the COMBACTE magazine

IMI’s ND4BB brochure outlines the structure of the programme, which currently comprises of 5 key projects:

• TRANSLOCATION researches new ways into breaching Gram-negative bacterial walls, while preventing the bacteria to destroy the drugs before they can act
• ENABLE is a platform where molecules that have the potential to become new drugs against infections with Gram-negative bacteria can be tested
• COMBACTE (comprising of COMBACTE-NET, COMBACTE-MAGNET & COMBACTE-CARE) focuses on developing the biggest pan European clinical trial network, enabling efficient clinical testing of novel antibacterial drugs
• iABC (also a project in the clinical development field) aims to improve the development of inhaled antibiotics for patients with cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis
• DRIVE-AB focuses on developing new business models that incentivize antibiotic discovery, while promoting sustainable use of antibiotics

The brochure can be found here.

Image credits: Innovative Medicines Initiative