“The spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis highlights the urgent need for new antibiotics with novel mechanisms of action. We are pleased that our three-year project SafeGM has been awarded the Infectious Diseases Catalyst Grant 2026 from the Novo Nordisk Foundation which will support the development of new safer antibiotics”, says Philipp Klahn, Associate Professor University of Gothenburg and project lead for SafeGM.
Giving a promising antibiotic a second chance
The project SafeGM focuses on griselimycin, a naturally occurring antibiotic with potent activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, including drug-resistant strains. Unlike many existing tuberculosis drugs, griselimycin targets DnaN, an essential protein involved in bacterial DNA replication.
Despite its promising antibacterial activity, further development has been limited by unwanted interactions with a human liver transporter, raising concerns about potential side effects. Earlier discoveries from the German federally funded NaPAnti consortium demonstrated that chemical modifications can substantially reduce these unwanted effects while preserving antibacterial activity.
“The research indicates that we can retain the potent antibacterial activity of griselimycin while significantly reducing its unwanted effects on human proteins. With the funding from Novo Nordisk Foundation of SafeGM we can build on these findings and take the next steps toward developing safer and more effective tuberculosis treatments," says Philipp Klahn.
International collaboration to advance antibiotic development
Over the next three years, researchers will combine computer-aided molecular design, medicinal chemistry, microbiological testing, and pharmacological studies to develop improved griselimycin derivatives with the potential for oral administration. The ultimate goal is to identify advanced antibiotic lead compounds suitable for further preclinical development against drug-sensitive and drug-resistant tuberculosis.
"This funding is an exciting opportunity to bring together complementary expertise and translate years of fundamental research into new therapeutic opportunities," says Philipp Klahn.
Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe) in Gothenburg
CARe is a collaborative research centre at the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology and the interdisciplinary initiative gathers over 160 researchers at the universities. CARe bridges healthcare, academia and regional stakeholders with a joint vision to limit mortality, morbidity and socioeconomic costs related to antibiotic resistance on a global scale through research.
The SafeGM project contributes to CARes mission of addressing antimicrobial resistance through interdisciplinary research and the development of new strategies to combat bacterial infections.
More information on Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research (link)
