Nano2FILM – Targeted multiplexed lipid nanocarriers against drug-resistant bacterial bioFILM
Antimicrobial resistance poses a major threat to morbidity and mortality worldwide and triggers the urgent need of effective drug development. The Nano2FILM project aims to provide an innovative class of nanomedicine-based multiplexed anti-virulence therapeutics to fight pulmonary chronic bacterial infections associated with biofilms. To do this, Nano2FILM will develop a new concept: targeted multiplexed lipid nanocarriers (t-mLNC). Specific biofilm targeting will allow the selective therapeutic intervention of the t-mLNC cargo at the bacterial infection site. This cargo will consist of a synergistic combination of at least two anti-biofilm signalling molecules, to trigger a localised enhanced response. By acting in a targeted manner, these elements leave the host microbiome and systemic immune responses unaffected. Our focus will be on three World Health Organisation (WHO) priority pathogens: (multi)resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae, as major causative agents of chronic respiratory infections. A whole panel of in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo mechanistic, efficacy and safety studies will be used to evaluate an array of 30 t-mLNC formulations synthesised during this project and select those showing the best synergistic response. These data will enable selection of ca. 6 lead t-mLNC for detailed evaluation. Ultimately, a lead candidate per pathogen and a backup will be taken into the next phases of drug development. Combining the cross-disciplinary expertise of six transnational partners, pathogen response to t-mLNC particles will be understood and translated into an efficient development for antimicrobial therapy. The impact of the results will be maximised by efficient dissemination and exploitation strategies for our findings, paying special attention to end-users and consistent with commercial development.
- Funder: European Commission
- Project ID: HOR-2025-02
- Principal Investigator: Bernardino Alcázar Navarrete
- Group: E17-Investigación en Neumología: Terapia y Analítica Avanzada
- Center: Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital
- Rol in the project: Project Coordinator
- Duration: 2025-2029