ENDOTHERM and University of Heidelberg Initiate a Cooperation to Develop new Antibiotics

ENDOTHERM and Prof. Christian Klein, head of the department of medicinal chemistry at the University of Heidelberg, announce collaboration with the aim to develop new innovative antibiotics.

The project is planned to last two years and will be supported by the German ministry of economic affairs and technology by making 250.000 EURO federal funding available.

The goal of the joint research project is the development of new enzyme inhibitors to inhibit the formation of bacterial cell walls and thus act as antibiotics.

Following the principle of rational drug design, Endotherm will contribute by means of its outstanding experience in synthetic organic chemistry and modern drug discovery tools, and the group in Heidelberg will apply its existing knowledge and experience with related enzymes and will apply its drug testing technologies.

The occurrence of infectious diseases has been increased dramatically during the past 20 years, due to antibiotic resistance, global warming and globalization (intense travelling). “We regard this collaboration as an attractive chance to strengthen our position as a research driven pharmaceutical company” says Lars Kattner, CEO and coordinator of the project at Endotherm.