Research paths

• Discovery and development of novel antimalarial, antileishmania, antitubercolar and antifungal chemotherapeutics.

• Novel approaches to cancer therapy. Modulators of the antiangiogenetic process and apoptotic drugs from natural and synthetic sources capable to inhibit microtubule dynamics.

• Discovery of innovative drugs and diagnostic agents for neurodegenerative and protein conformational diseases.

• Innovative drugs for the treatment of HIV and HCV infections

• Drug development for neuropsychiatric disorders

• Discovery and development of novel antimalarial, antileishmania, antitubercolar and antifungal chemotherapeutics.

  The core research groups represented within NatSynDrugs has been brought together based on international reputation in parasitic infection research. Each group contributes complementary skills to the Platform to facilitate a complete drug development programme. NatSynDrugs aims to realize the combined potential of the core groups involved who have the expertise in:

  1. isolation and characterization of new natural products
  2. rational design, based on innovative methodologies, of novel synthetic drug candidates
  3. managing standard organic chemistry or combichem to synthesize new active chemical entities
  4. pharmacological investigation and development of the selected drugable compounds.

  Among the common parasitic diseases, malaria is a global epidemic, it is re-emergent in Italy and Mediterranean area and is endemic in many underdeveloped and developing countries, to which are linked human migratory flows.
  Malaria is one of the main causes of death in the world, afflicting the populations of at least 102 countries, with about two billion persons at risk of infection in tropical and subtropical areas. Today the infection is mainly caused by resistant strains to known therapeutic tools such as chloroquine. Effective and innovative, low cost drugs that can be used for long periods are urgently needed to delay the onset of resistance, rendering the therapeutic treatment more accessible and spreading it to countries linked to poverty.
  Leishmania. According to the WHO, leishmaniasis is endemic in 88 countries, 82% of which are developing countries. Currently, 15 million people are thought to be infected with Leishmania.
  Fungal Infections. Over the last 10 years the incidence of life-threatening fungal infections has increased dramatically. Reasons include the marked increase in the number of immuno-compromised persons including cancer, organ transplant, and AIDS patients, who are the main groups susceptible to these opportunistic infections.
  Tuberculosis. Tuberculosis, a disease which man has been fighting for centuries, is back in full swing. TB kills more adults than any other infectious disease. WHO estimates that 8 million new cases and 3 million deaths are attributed to TB each year.