Geneva and Tokyo, 18 July 2025 – GARDP and Institute of Science Tokyo have signed an agreement to optimize advanced compounds in GARDP’s antibiotic discovery portfolio. The organizations will look to obtain crystal structures of these compounds bound to their bacterial protein target. The findings will offer critical insights into how these compounds can be optimized into new antibiotics to treat drug-resistant bacterial infections.

The research focuses on a particular protein that is essential for the survival of Gram-negative pathogens like Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, both of which are WHO priority bacterial pathogens in urgent need of new treatments. This protein target has not yet been successfully disabled by existing antibiotics. As such, this protein is an “unrealized target,” a critical area of research in the discovery of new antibiotics with potential to treat drug-resistant infections.

“If this project is successful, we’ll gain access to important structural data that will help refine the design of these compounds. This research may contribute to the discovery of innovative antibiotics that could make a significant contribution to efforts to counter antimicrobial resistance,” said Professor Satoshi Murakami, an expert in structural biology who will lead this project at Institute of Science Tokyo.

This project leverages Professor Murakami’s world leading protein crystallography work at Institute of Science Tokyo. GARDP and Institute of Science Tokyo will attempt to co-crystalize the target protein with candidate compounds provided by GARDP. Researchers will then determine the structures of the resulting complexes at atomic resolution using techniques such as X-ray crystallography.

“We are excited to collaborate with Professor Murakami on this target-based discovery research project. The project is an excellent fit for our portfolio and aligns with our approach to partnering on the discovery and delivery of novel pre-clinical candidates to tackle antimicrobial resistance,” said Alan Hennessy, Head of Discovery at GARDP.

This project is part of a stream of work that GARDP has undertaken with Japanese partners and support. The Government of Japan has been a GARDP funder since 2020, investing US$ 9 million in GARDP to date. As a member of both the G7 and G20 Group of Nations, Japan has been a prominent advocate and global leader in the fight against AMR. Several Japanese companies have actively partnered with GARDP, notably in the areas of antibiotic discovery and access as well as on antibiotic R&D for children.

GARDP

We are a not-for-profit global health organization driven to protect people from the rise and spread of drug-resistant infections, one of the biggest threats to us all. By forging the public and private partnerships that matter, we develop and make accessible antibiotic treatments for people who need them. Vital support for our work comes from the governments of Canada, Germany, Japan, Monaco, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the Canton of Geneva, the European Union, as well as the Gates Foundation, Global Health EDCTP3, GSK, the RIGHT Foundation, the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and Wellcome. We are GARDP, the Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership. GARDP is registered under the legal name GARDP Foundation.

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