Sphaera Pharma, THSTI and Wellcome Trust collaborate to develop treatment for drug resistant TB

The approach claims to have the potential to be more effective, and is less likely to result in development of drug-resistance

Sphaera Pharma (India), a subsidiary of Sphaera Pharma (Singapore), and the Drug Discovery Research Centre (DDRC) of the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute have received funding from The Wellcome Trust to develop a novel, therapeutic for the treatment of multiple drug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug resistant (XDR) tuberculosis (TB).

Reportedly, this is based on a unique approach, first identified at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, that targets a host protein. The approach claims to have the potential to be more effective, and is less likely to result in development of drug-resistance. It is also expected to work in conjunction with current therapies.

Dr Sundeep Dugar, CEO, Sphaera Pharma Singapore, has indicated that this novel approach through the collaboration between Sphaera Pharma, India, DDRC and Wellcome Trust has the potential to deliver a first-in-class novel therapy for TB.