Antimicrobial resistance is an increasing problem, with 10 million deaths predicted per year by 2025 due to a lack of treatment options. To mitigate this situation, innovative therapies that do not contribute to the development of resistance are needed.

Swedish biotech company Inicure AB is developing small-molecule drugs that activate the innate immune system. The compounds help the body fight infections by recruiting immune cells to the infection site without inducing resistance. The drugs have demonstrated promising effects in vitro and in mice. The next step towards clinical trials is to assess the efficacy and toxicity in a large animal.

his project is an exploratory pilot study in a pig model of urinary tract infection (UTI). Efficacy will be assessed ex vivo in human, porcine and other related animal species leukocytes for efficacy translation. Inicure will be collaborating with Professor T. E. Andersen at the University of Southern Denmark. Professor Andersen is a pioneer in the field of porcine UTI modelling and has unique experience in evaluating drugs in this animal model.

The outcome will provide important cross-species data to bridge the gap between preclinical and clinical research and support regulatory development and subsequent clinical studies. The project will combine cross-border academic and industrial expertise, contributing to HALRIC’s mission of advancing innovation through shared research infrastructures and collaborative life science solutions.

For further information about this HALRIC pilot project, please contact:

 

Thomas Emil Andersen
University of Southern Denmark
thandersen@health.sdu.dk