Corallopyronin A as antifilarial drug - A natural antibiotic product for the treatment of filariasis

Ref.-No. 2838 - human

Keywords: Elephantiasis, River blindness, human, filariasis, symbiont, Wolbachia, human, anthelmintic (anti-worm), anti-filarial, DZIF (Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung)

Filariasis is a parasitic disease caused by filarial nematodes that are transmitted to humans through blood sucking mosquitoes. There is a symbiotic relationship between the nematodes and the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia that makes the nematodes' life cycle heavily dependent on Wolbachia’s presence. Standard therapeutic treatment for filariasis usually involves drug therapy with antiparasitic drugs or the antibiotic doxycycline. However, said treatment has disadvantages such as long therapeutic treatment, and contraindication for children < 8 years and during pregnancy/breast feeding.

Corallopyronin A (CorA) is a non-competitive inhibitor of the bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Wolbachia can efficiently be removed by only one or two treatment regimens of CorA.  In addition, side effects were not realised during the pre-clinical studies. A production process of CorA is established on a 15,000 litre scale in preparation for GMP manufacturing. A stable formulation has been developed for oral administration and medical use in logistically difficult regions.

Competitive Advantages

  • Effective treatment of filariasis presumably also for children
  • Alternative mode of action of CorA avoids selection for rifampicin cross-resistant M. tuberculosis
  • Oral administration of CorA
  • Stable formulation of CorA for medical care in logistically difficult regions

Commercial Opportunities

On behalf of the University of Bonn, PROvendis offers an access to rights for commercial use (patent applications, patents and know-how).

Current Status

Assessment CorA

Results

Production and formulation

  • USP, DSP
  • Chromatographic purification
  • Free flowing powder

 

Each up to 15,000 L

35 to 90 g batches

Gastro resistant capsules for oral application

Toxicology (non-GLP)

  • Off target profiling
  • Cyp inhibition
  • CYP 3A4 induction via PXR

 

EC50 [µM]: A3= 11, PPARγ= 2.2, COX1= 8.2

No inhibiton of six recombinant human CYPs

EC50 [µM]: 12

Safety Pharmacology

✓ On request

Pharmacokinetic results

✓ On request

Regulatory status

  • Formal BfArM Scientific Advice
  • BfArM Scientific Advice #2
  • BfArM Scientific Advice #3

 

✓ 2018

✓ (Q3/ 2023)

Drug product quality, Dose calculation, Phase I trial protocol (Q1/ 2024)

Technology Readiness Level

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Technology validated in relevant environment

Relevant Puclications

Rox et al., Pharmaceutics, 2023; 15(1):131; Ehrens et al., Front. Trop. Dis., Vol. 3 (2022); Krome et al., Nat Prod Rep 39:1705-1720; Krome et al., Pharmaceutics 12 (2020):1105; Becker et al. Pharmaceutics (2022) 14:1657

An invention of the University of Bonn.

Dipl.-Biol. Kordula Kruber

kk@provendis.info
+49 208 9410530