RESEARCH PIPELINE

FNDR is developing a therapeutic intervention for symptomatic rabies by repurposing a clinically approved molecule with a well-established safety profile. Preclinical studies have demonstrated antiviral activity in vitro and improved survival in a murine rabies model. A clinical trial is being planned in collaboration with major Indian hospitals to assess efficacy in human patients. This program addresses a critical gap in treatment for a universally fatal neglected disease.

A DprE1 inhibitor being developed for tuberculosis. The patent is jointly held by TB Alliance and FNDR. Phase 2 Clinical trial was successfully carried out by Gates Medical Research Institute in South Africa (Trial No. NCT04176250)

A well-known clinical candidate repositioned for shortening TB therapy in partnership with Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. Preclinical proof of concept studies and clinical trial (Phase 2) is funded by DBT India.

Homo-BacPROTACs are a novel class of compounds that target and degrade the essential protein ClpC1 in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This targeted degradation mechanism shows potent antibacterial effects, including against multidrug-resistant tuberculosis strains.

A series of compounds with a novel chemical scaffold that have shown promising anti-TB efficacy. Currently in early preclinical stage.

A novel anti-TB compound extracted from the soil of Antarctica, has shown promising activity against drug resistant TB. FNDR is a patent holder along with National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India. It is also known as NF1001. FNDR-20364 has also shown excellent in vitro activity against multiple drug sensitive and drug resistant NTMs and its development for NTMs is funded by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF), USA. FNDR-20364 also works against drug resistant Gram-postive bacteria.

A series of compounds with a novel chemical scaffold that have shown promising efficacy against multiple NTM strains. Currently in early preclinical stage.

FNDR, ABAC Therapeutics Spain and Peptris Technologies have partnered to work on a first in class broad spectrum antibiotic working against Gram negative bacteria. This project is funded through an Indo-Spain Consortium grant by TDB India and CDTI Spain

FNDR is developing a novel device made of waste materials to remove antibiotics from waste water. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat due to discharge/dumping of antibiotics from industries such as API manufacturing, poultry, fisheries, animal husbandry, and hospitals. Currently there is no device to deplete antibiotics from effluents. The lab scale device is ready and prototype device pilot studies have been completed. Proof of concept studies were funded by BIRAC India.

FNDR is developing a blood-based diagnostic for rapid differentiation between bacterial and viral infections to guide antibiotic prescriptions . Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat due to misuse of antibiotics. Pre-clinical validation has been completed. Project was funded by Longitude Prize, BIRAC-NESTA UK.

A Novel Total Nucleic Acid Based Reverse Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Detection for Lymphatic Filariasis. Proof of concept studies are funded by Grand Challenges India.

FNDR is developing a blood-based diagnostic for rapid detection of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. Current biomarker-based tests for Pulmonary TB are low in accuracy or specificity. No tests exist for Extra-pulmonary TB. Clinical trial of 200 patients at St John’s Hospital, Bangalore has been completed to test for biomarkers in blood and urine. Data is promising and indicates potential for a rapid biomarker (blood) based diagnostic which can be converted to a Point of Care Test.