Discovery Programmes

DemurisTM is initially focused on the discovery of new antibiotics that will combat the threat from emerging diseases and the rise of antibiotic resistance. A portfolio of innovative assays is being used to screen for inhibitors that act differently from existing antibiotics. Demuris also provides the opportunity to discover and develop small molecule inhibitors against a range of interesting drug targets, together with the medicinal chemistry expertise needed to add value by making the initial inhibitors more drug-like. The overall output of the Demuris discovery engine will cover a strong intellectual property portfolio for out-licensing to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

 The market

Demuris' most advanced programmes currently lie in the antibacterial arena. The market for novel antibiotics is continually growing and being refreshed by the increasing levels of antibiotic resistance globally. New opportunities are being identified, primarily within the academic and biotech arena, through the use of better diagnostics, raising the possibility of establishing new niche markets with compounds hitting specific pathogens. Pharmaceutical companies have shown relatively little interest in antibiotics over the past 20 years, but have recently re-realised the potential for novel agents driven by the continued growth of drug resistance, the emergence of new diseases and toxicity concerns over existing treatments. The market for antibacterials is forecast to grow to more than $45 billion by 2012 (Arrowhead, August 2007) and Demuris are well placed to capitalise on this increased demand for antibacterial agents and resultant interest from industry.