Projects Profile
Project Title
Development of novel antimicrobial drug products based on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions
Partnership
Prof Peter Lees, Royal Veterinary College, University of London
Prof Jianyong Li, Lanzhou Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Pharmaceuticals
Project Aim
The aim of the project is to exchange knowledge and expertise between the UK and China partners on the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of drugs of the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drug classes. Our intention is that this will lead to development one or more novel commercial products for use in farm animal medicine. Using the principles of PK-PD modeling, the dosages of the drugs in the
combination products will be optimized to ensure maximum bacterial kill and minimum opportunities for the emergence of antimicrobial resistance.
Inspiration for the projects
Drugs of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) and antimicrobial drug classes are used extensively to treat infectious diseases such as calf and piglet pneumonia. NSAIDs reduce body temperature and suppress acute inflammation in the lungs. Antimicrobial drugs kill (bactericidal action) or inhibit the division (bacteriostatic action) of bacterial cells, thereby achieving clinical cure of disease. The potential, thus far unrealized, is to combine a drug of each category in a single product, in which the dosing schedule will be selected on the basis of utilizing additive and synergistic interactions of each constituent. This will provide the basis for increasing clinical and bacteriological cure rates, thereby minimising the emergence of resistance.
Commercial Potential and Further Development
The visit of two UK scientists to China and two colleagues from China to the UK will facilitate an exchange of knowledge and expertise between the partners, leading to the development of proposals for a Proof-of-Concept Grant. At the present time, there is widespread use by co-administration of drugs of the antimicrobial and NSAID classes in the therapy of pneumonia in farm animals, notably in young calves. However, the doses used of the separate drug products have not been optimized to ensure maximum bacterial kill. The optimal doses of each drug to use in a single combination product will be established through measurement of the PK and PD interactions between the drugs (which may be additive or synergistic).Novel combination products will provide significant advances in reducing the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. This will have major implications not only for cure of disease and animal welfare, but will ensure that the transfer of resistance from animal pathogenic and commensal organisms to human pathogens and commensals is reduced to a minimal level.
