▪ Kick off AD‐SP – National network for the discovery of new antibiotics

On the 27th of November 2014, was established the Promotion committee of the National Network for the Discovery of New Antobiotics (AD‐SP). The organization, in which MEDINA participates, aims to "strengthen new synergies and, once well coordinated, to represent Spain in  international organizations such as the European Commission" , explained Dr Domingo Gargallo, cientific director at ABAC Therapeutics, who organized the work day sponsored by Grupo Ferrer, Caixa Capital Risc and the Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial (CDTI) from the Ministry of Economy y Competitiveness of Spain.

“Spain plays an important role at an International level in terms of research and knowledge of Microbiology and Infectious diseases. The Network pretends to combine multidisciplinary efforts in research and also develop the international projection of the national initiatives”, said Dr Rafael Cantón, Head of the Microbiology Department of Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal and researcher at the Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS).

New antibiotics are an undeniable need for the increment of multiresistant strains because of the inappropriate use of some of the actual antibiotics. Around 25.000 patients endure and die every year  in the European Union of an infection caused by multiresitant bacteria.

Dr. Vicente, Head of Screening and Target validation at MEDINA discussed the potential of NP´s  as source of new antibiotics.