A New Approach to Bacterial Lung Infection – Formamp

A large variety of AMPs have been identified and isolated from plants, animals and humans and their structure is well preserved. These have also been assessed, analysed and modified in order to increase their function and efficiency for drug delivery applications. These peptides act by interacting with the bacterial membranes and by perforating the membrane (see Figure 1). However, only a few candidates have reached late stages of clinical trials and, to date, no products based on AMPs have reached the market. One of the main reasons is the challenge related to stability of peptides during storage as well as after administration, which dramatically reduces the efficiency. These challenges are addressed in “FORMAMP – Innovative Nanoformulation of Antimicrobial Peptides to Treat Bacterial Infectious Diseases”, a large collaborative project within EU’s NMP-programme. The aim of FORMAMP is to explore innovative nanoformulation strategies to formulate well-characterised AMP candidates in order to improve the efficiency and stability of the peptides in clinical development. In addition, the nanocarriers are formulated in functional dosage forms, i.e. for pulmonary delivery for local treatment of bacterial infections. Different nanoformulation platforms, particularly promising for peptide delivery, controlled-release strategies and technologies against proteolytic degradation of peptides will be evaluated in the project. These include carriers of organic origin (lipid-based and polymerbased systems) as well as inorganic carriers (nanostructured silica). The effect of nanoformulated AMPs will be evaluated with state-of-the-art in vitro and in vivo models. The results of this interdisciplinary project will generate efficient treatment strategies combatting one of the largest threats to our healthcare system and society today, reducing healthcare costs and expanding the growth of European enterprises within the field of pharmaceutics and nanomaterials.