TB Working Group

BACKGROUND

New technology in drug discovery and pharmaceutical sciences, including nanoformulation, makes it possible for the first time to consider developing long-acting injectable antimicrobial agents for difficult to control infectious diseases like tuberculosis. Although technically feasible, the development of such agents is particularly complex when considering how they will be used in HIV-TB coinfected patients, a group most severely affected by TB and playing a driving role in the epidemic. According to the WHO, in 2014, there were 9.6 million new cases of TB, of which 1.2 million were among people living with HIV. The risk of developing tuberculosis (TB) is estimated to be between 26 and 31 times greater in people living with HIV than among those without HIV infection. TB is the most common presenting illness among people living with HIV, including among those on antiretroviral therapy, and is the major cause of HIV-related death with one in three HIV-related deaths caused by TB in 2015. Approximately one third of the world’s population is infected with TB and among people with latent TB infection, HIV infection is the strongest known risk factor for progressing to TB disease.

MISSION

We have developed a long-acting/extended release tuberculosis working group under the existing LEAP R24, to bring this expertise to bear in promotion of discovery and development of LA/ER drugs for TB. Objectives include: 1) formation of an expert task force to prioritize research areas for HIV/TB coinfection, 2) to develop a Target Product Profile for potential long-acting/extended release drugs that can be used by investigators and regulators working in this area;  and 3) support for a Working Group to promote screening and identification of promising agents for such applications, including the re-purposing of agents already screened for other bacterial diseases.

Interesting in joining the TB Working Group?

Please submit your request along with your CV to Ana Cervantes.  Acceptance requires 1) a written nomination from an existing TB LEAP member and 2) approval from a majority of working group members.