Singapore: In a bid to further foster new drug research for drug resistant tuberculosis (TB), Wellcome Trust has collaborated with Sphaera Pharma (India), a subsidiary of Sphaera Pharma (Singapore), and the Drug Discovery Research Centre (DDRC) of the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute to develop a novel, first-in-class drugs for the deadly disease.

Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is defined as a form of TBinfection caused by bacteria that are resistant to treatment with at least two of the most powerful first-line anti-TB drugs, isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RMP).

The deal is based on a a unique approach, first identified at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, that targets a host protein. The approach has the potential to be more effective, and is less likely to result in development of drug-resistance. It is also expected to work in conjunction with current therapies, according to a news report.

Dr Sundeep Dugar, chief executive officer, Sphaera Pharma Singapore, has indicated that this novel approach through the collaboration between Sphaera Pharma, India, DDRC and Wellcome Trust has the potential to deliver a first-in-class novel therapy for TB.

Nearly Five percent of all TB cases across the globe in 2013 were estimated to be MDR-TB cases, including 3.5 percent of newly diagnosed TB cases, and 20.5 percent of previously treated TB cases.