Antimicrobial Compounds From Natural Sources

Eurofarma is a Brazilian multinational pharmaceutical company engaged in biopharmaceuticals. Eurofarma is currently seeking antimicrobial small molecules from natural sources for antibacterial drugs/therapies.

Approaches of Interest:

• The highest priority is given to opportunities focusing on antimicrobial small molecules, including both natural products and their derivatives, but there is less interest in peptide-based approaches.
• Priority will be given to bactericidal compounds; however bacteriostatic and adjuvant compounds are still of interest.
• There is particular interest in approaches that target Gram-negative bacteria and ESKAPE pathogens, or other bacterial pathogens related to antimicrobial resistance.
• Approaches that target Candida species, Aspergillus fumigatus, Gram-positive bacteria, and viruses such as Human cytomegalovirus, RSV and rhinovirus, will still be considered.
• Opportunities within the biological screening stage, aimed at identifying bioactive ‘hit’ extracts derived from extremophile microorganisms and rare microbial strains are highly appreciated. 
• Approaches that demonstrate the ability to scale up the production of extracts, fractions, and/or pure compounds, enabling subsequent bioassays and structural elucidation, are preferred. 
• Antibiotic discovery platforms involving natural products and Chemo-libraries based on natural products are of interest.

Out of Scope:

Modalities such as nucleic acids and proteins; and non-molecular approaches such as probiotics or phytotherapeutic medicines are out of scope, as well as opportunities targeting mycobacteria and assays requiring significant further development. 

Validation and Developmental Stages of Interest

Opportunities validated beyond efficacy, such as those supported by physicochemical and ADME data, and those with pharmacokinetics and in vivo data are of highest priority. Well‑established, repeatable, biochemical and cell‑based assays are preferred. Opportunities from basic research phase to late preclinical stage are within scope. Proof-of-concept data is ideal, however new chemical matter is still of high interest. 

Submission Information and Opportunity for Collaboration

Submission of one page, 200-300 word briefs are encouraged and should include information on the status of the research, along with any optional supplementary information e.g. relevant publications. Submissions should comply with local and international regulations regarding the local biodiversity exploration. In submitting to this campaign, you confirm that your submission contains only non-confidential information. Eurofarma is open to a range of collaboration opportunities, with the most appropriate outcome being decided on a case-by-case basis. Eurofarma is very flexible with collaboration. IP and royalties will be discussed on a project basis.