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Small Molecule Alanine Racemase Inhibitors as Novel Therapeutics for Tuberculosis

Award Information
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Branch: National Institutes of Health
Contract: 1R43AI068161-01A1
Agency Tracking Number: AI068161
Amount: $169,964.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: PHS2006-2
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2006
Award Year: 2006
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
L2 DIAGNOSTICS, LLC BOX 8175
NEW HAVEN, CT 06530
United States
DUNS: N/A
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 KAREN ANTHONY
 (203) 503-0383
 KAREN.ANTHONY@L2DX.COM
Business Contact
 MARTIN MATTESSICH
Phone: (203) 393-9439
Email: mjmatt@ix.netcom.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Once thought to be on the decline, tuberculosis (TB) still remains a major global health problem today. With an estimated eight million new cases and two million deaths annually, TB is the leading cause of death from an infectious disease. This situation is further exacerbated by the emergence of multi-drug resistant form of TB (MDR-TB), which is refractory to treatment by available antibiotics. New anti-tubercular drugs are urgently needed to combat MDR strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a NIAID priority pathogen and the causative agent of MDR-TB. The objective of this proposal is to identify new drug candidates for the treatment of TB in general and MDR-TB in particular. To this end, we propose to identify small molecules that prevent the synthesis of the mycobacterial cell wall, a validated target that is essential for the survival of the bacterium. The specific target is the key bacterial enzyme, alanine racemase. This enzyme catalyzes the racemization of L-alanine to D-alanine, and provides the necessary D-alanine precursor for peptidoglycan synthesis. Using purified alanine racemase enzyme from M. tuberculosis, an existing enzymatic assay will be first optimized for high-throughput screening. The assay will then be used to screen proprietary natural and chemical compound libraries in search of small molecules that inhibit the catalytic activity of this enzyme. Hits identified in this manner will be critically evaluated for their ability to inhibit the growth of M. tuberculosis in culture. Successful completion of this project is anticipated to yield one or more compounds for further development as drug candidates for the treatment of TB and MDR-TB in ensuing Phase II studies.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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