Medicines Discovery Catapult supports double-blind partnership for AMR research

The Medicines Discovery Catapult, a new, national centre of applied research and development expertise, has revealed it is supporting a new ‘double-blind’ partnership to enable antimicrobial resistance (AMR) research.

This partnership, which is being brokered by the Medicines Discovery Catapult, is between Antimicrobial Discovery Solutions (ADS) and the University of Dundee and is focused on the creation of a neutral space in which it will be possible to explore potential new antimicrobial drug discovery.

Under the terms of the agreement the University of Dundee Drug Discovery Unit will be able to provide its unique chemistry for testing in ADS’s assays in a ‘double-blind’ manner where only Catapult will be aware of which chemistry is active. Only after activity is confirmed will any intellectual property negotiations between the University of Dundee and ADS be required.

“Drug discovery research is high risk, expensive and can be delayed by contract negotiations that take place before either party knows if there is value in their collaboration. This can often prevent research from happening altogether,” explained Chris Molloy, chief executive of the Medicines Discovery Catapult. “This agreement moves the intellectual property discussion to the right place and brings new collaborators together. We’re creating a new space that frees innovation, enables R&D to be done and incentivises all parties to make a fair deal if there is real value demonstrated. All of this helps to bring new medicines to patients faster.”

“This approach has the potential to harness the great collaborative intent within the UK, which is often hindered by overvaluing intellectual property,” said Professor Christopher Dowson, director of Antimicrobial Discovery Solutions and professor of Microbiology at the University of Warwick. “This arrangement allows us to explore new assays and concentrate on the legalities afterwards. Rather than ignoring intellectual property, we’re pushing it into its rightful place and stopping it from being the stumbling block to meaningful collaboration.”

“Tackling antimicrobial resistance is one of the most urgent challenges facing humanity, and no single organisation can solve it alone. We hope that working in collaboration with ADS Ltd and Medicines Discovery Catapult will establish good quality hits — turning potentials into drug-like compounds, and moving closer to new types of antibacterials,” added Professor Ian Gilbert, head of Chemistry at the Drug Discovery Unit in Dundee.