Antibiotic-resistant bacteria threaten global health. Nevertheless, very few new antibiotics have appeared on the market in the past 50 years.
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology’s NTNU Technology Transfer AS has received funding to develop and commercialize a potentially useful new drug.
kill bacteria
The Betatides project has its roots in the Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).
While testing a drug against cancer cells, Professor Marit Otterley and her group accidentally discovered that the peptide they used also prevented bacterial growth. Peptides are made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks of all living things. Ultimately, the researchers designed betatide. It kills bacteria and prevents the development of resistance, but does not harm healthy cells.
Developing new antibiotics is expensive and time-consuming, and there are stringent requirements for testing and documentation. Pharmaceutical companies won’t make a drug until they know the product will help their business.
successful test
Researchers around the world are working to develop new antibiotics. A growing number of new antibiotics are currently in development, and small positive effects have already been identified. ”
Siril Skaret Bakke, Business Developer at NTNU Technology Transfer AS
The project received validation funding of NOK 1 million from NTNU Discovery and NOK 5 million from the Research Council in spring 2024. The funding is being used to bring betatide to a level where it can be developed by pharmaceutical companies. Distribute it to the market and make it available for patient treatment.
Researchers initially envision treating lung infections before they spread to other infections. They have conducted some successful studies in animals.
Tests for the six most resistant disease-causing bacteria have also yielded very positive results.
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Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
