Macclesfield, UK – 26 January 2026 – MedChemica is part of a new global initiative, funded by the Gates Foundation, Novo Nordisk, and Wellcome, aimed at combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) driven by a specific group of bacteria responsible for the majority of AMR-related deaths. The Gram-negative Antibiotic Discovery Innovator (Gr-ADI) focuses on data-sharing and working together globally to drive innovation. Working with the Oxford team, led by Dr Annette von Delft, we will be focusing on identifying novel chemical starting points against three validated Klebsiella targets.
Antimicrobial resistance is one the leading causing of deaths globally, particularly in lower-and middle-income countries. Considered a global crisis, AMR infections are associated with a high mortality rate, extended hospitalisation and increased costs. Klebsiella spp. is classed as a critical priority pathogen due to its multidrug resistance (MDR) and is responsible for about 30% of all gram-negative bacterial infections.
Ed Griffen will be working with the Oxford team, led by Dr Annette von Delft, which includes Paul Brennan, Frank von Delft, Phil Fowler, Lizbe Koekemoer, Thomas Lanyon-Hogg and Nicole Stoesser. The team will be focusing on identifying novel chemical starting points against three validated Klebsiella targets. Using the University of Oxford crystallographic fragment screening platform (XCHEM) and the Fast Forward Fragments (FFF) platform, the aim is to rapidly convert fragment hits into scaffolds allowing for the identification of novel small molecule hit series against the Klebsiella targets.
Through this collaboration, MedChemica will contribute to the development of a “ready-to-use”, target-based antimicrobial discovery pipeline that can be applied to evaluating novel bacterial targets more broadly.
“MedChemica has considerable experience in anti-infectives ranging from anti-bacterials to anti-virals and anti-fungals. We are excited to be able to contribute to this effort to deliver novel chemical series that are active against critical Gram negative targets.” comments Ed Griffen, Technical Director and Co-Founder at Medchemica.
Read more about the project here.