10071576Discovery and preclinical validation of evolution-designed, AI-discovered, synthetically printed biologic molecules for MDR-TBClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKThis project is focused on the discovery of best-in-class antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and the preclinical validation of these new biologic molecules as an effective treatment alternative for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Tuberculosis is a common bacterial infection, typically affecting the lungs, spread through inhalation of tiny droplets of infected matter. Historically the disease had a high mortality rate, however today the disease is considered imminently curable and preventable if treated with the right course of antibiotics. However, MDR-TB involves strains of the bacteria which are resistant to existing antibiotics and are therefore potentially not treatable. MDR-TB is a major emerging public health problem. In 2021, the WHO estimates that 450,000 people developed TB which was resistant to rifampicin (the first line TB drug), and there were 191,000 related deaths. MDR-TB is significantly more expensive and difficult to treat than standard drug-sensitive TB and its rise threatens the progress made in the twentieth century combating TB. An untreatable, uncontrolled MDR-TB epidemic could have huge health and economic implications.