MaxImmun · Pharmaco-modulation of epithelia for induction of antimicrobial peptide expression: a disruptive approach to fight antibiotic resistance

The MaxImmun project aims at preventing and treating infections, and situations of conflict between the host and its microbiota, by developing a disruptive technology based on molecules that boost antimicrobial peptides (AMP) of the innate immune system. To face the problem of antibiotic resistance, this high-potential technology may be relevant both in situations of endemic infections in the developing world, and infectious or inflammatory pathologies in industrialized countries. Our objective is to establish the proof-of-concept that among a series of hit molecules identified for their capacity to promote AMPs, a small subgroup may qualify to lead molecules that can then be pushed into the late phases of the R&D pipeline, with the perspective of a phase I clinical trial. To achieve this transition, our project will range from the comprehension of microbial mechanisms leading to antibiotic resistance, to the comprehension of AMP regulations, the identification of molecules and their optimization by medicinal chemistry, and the characterization and evaluation of their protective efficacy in pre-clinical validation models. Thus, we expect to develop innovative molecules as future antimicrobial drug candidates.