Cascade Open Call RN3: ANTI-TOP

The AntiTOP project is part of the call proposed by Spoke 3 on “Antitimicrobic delivery systems: applications in the management of infections of health and soft tissue”, under the framework of Project PE_000007 - One Health Basic and Translational Research Actions and aims to expand the current therapeutic portfolio for the treatment of infected wounds colonised by antibiotic-resistant bacteria through a comprehensive approach. The aim is to develop a suitable three-component “AntiTOP formulation” which is composed of existing antibiotics and approved drugs that can be repurposed as “resistance breaker” or “antibiotic potentiator”. Thanks to the technological advances in the field of local drug delivery, the project will develop cutting-edge hyaluronic acid (HA)-based tools to deliver “AntiTOP therapy” that acts as a cocktail against drug-resistant pathogens in a combined drug regimen. The proposed approach synergistically combines several aspects of modern pharmaceutical research: a) repurposing of drugs already approved by the main regulatory agencies; b) reviving old toxic antibiotics; c) -OMIC studies; d) innovative technological solutions for the drug delivery to infection sites, reducing adverse side effects. AntiTOP combines multi-sectoral expertise and research infrastructures from South of Italy guaranteeing a wide range of techniques and expertise generally not available at single institutions. Facilities and human resources which represent the AntiTOP Consortium include two Universities (UNIME and UNICAL) and one large company (FIDIA).

The project activities began on the 20th of November 2024 and the Kick-off meeting took place on the 2nd of December 2024 at the UNIME. The project activities were coordinated by Professor Anna Piperno (coordinator, UNIME), Professor Anna Napoli (UNICAL), Dr. Rosanna Inturri (FIDIA).