Open Source NTD Discovery

“The last several years has seen an explosion in interest and opportunity for the discovery of new drugs for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)... Without a doubt, these efforts have been enhanced by the clear description of targeted product profiles, and public sharing of data, primarily from the earliest stages of drug discovery... There is currently little, if any coordination between drug discovery efforts for NTDs. Often, certain attractive chemotypes are pursued by multiple groups, unbeknownst to each other. This represents a serious waste of resource in a very resource-constrained field... Let us establish an Open Source NTD drug discovery effort. In this effort we will: [1] Discuss parameters for harmonized assay cascades that will be most directive towards the targeted product profiles advanced by MMV, DNDi, and others for new drugs for NTDs. For example – what selectivity assays should be used, in order to be able to compare results? What data do funders actually look for? [2] Identify opportunities for organizations (pharma, biotechs, CROs) to provide in-kind contributions of screening resource, in vitro ADME testing, pharmacokinetics, or safety [3] Develop a shared database system for use within the group of participantsthat will allow various levels of collaboration that are within the investigators’ comfort levels, ranging from: [3a] Annotation of chemotypes under pursuit (minimal data sharing) [3b] Sharing of all screening data for new compounds (maximal data sharing) [4] Coordinate medicinal chemistry efforts where more than one lab is interested in a single chemotype [5] Share molecular models (pharmacophore models, homology models, etc) [6] Provide opportunities for sharing compounds and information across pathogens. For example – are the inhibitors that are effective against malaria also effective against leishmania? ... What’s in it for me? Why would I share my data? I believe that most people who work in NTD drug discovery do so because they truly are looking to cure these diseases of the poor. Sharing goals, data, and strategies can only help accelerate the process, and help ensure that efforts are not wasted. There are some other, more concrete incentives: [1] New opportunities for collaboration will be uncovered, which can lead to new funding proposals [2] New research tools (compounds, models, scholarship) can help inform your own program [3] Higher visibility – we will regularly communicate the progress of our Open Source effort to key stakeholders in NTD drug discovery. [4] We will set ground rules within the group regarding data sharing, use of each other’s’ data, and we will work to find good mechanisms of intellectual property management. Does this sound even a little bit interesting? Then please do the following: [1] Please  visit this link to provide information about yourself and your interests, and to provide feedback ... [2] Visit this Doodle Poll to share your availability for a teleconference discussion to get this started: http://doodle.com/ph64z7t9c2z4yhii [3] You can  email me questions at m.pollastri@neu.edu, and follow me on Twitter: @NUTrypkiller #OpenSourceNTDs [4] Begin making a mental list of questions or potential issues you can foresee, so we can discuss them!”