Objectives
AIM:
The overall scientific and technical objective of the CATAFLU.OR project is to achieve new innovative, simple and straightforward synthetic routes for enhancing the availability and supply of neuraminidase inhibitors. The CATAFLU.OR project addresses this target, through the objective of preparing difficult and highly challenging neuraminidase inhibitors. Five main tasks characterize the work plan of the Cataflu.OR project:
- Synthesis of modified catalysts for organocatalytic domino reaction. Scale up of the reaction. Test of the new catalyst in the established reaction domino reactions aiming the production of new cyclohexene derivatives. The manipulation of the derivatives will be used for a practical and rapid access to newly designed neuraminidase drug candidates.
- Use of the catalysts in the design of new organocatalytic domino reactions. Synthesis of cyclic compounds via domino reactions.
- Preparation of new neuraminidase inhibitor through the use of organocatalytic domino reactions.
- Test of the new neuraminidase inhibitor with cell lines, animals and viruses.
- Test in silico, in vitro, and in vivo of the newly prepared inhibitor against influenza viruses.
(Expected) results: In particular, the project intends:
- To propose new neuraminidase inhibitors for screening against flu viruses.
- To define a new strategy for organocatalytic, highly economical domino reaction.
- To decrease costs and minimise problems related to the supply of oseltamivir and oseltamivir derivatives.
- To contribute to solving the problem of avian flu where it has developed (Hong Kong and China)
Furthermore, additional objectives of the project are:
- To promote innovation activities, also through the involvement of SMEs and technology transfer.
- To favour a long-term impact on influenza therapy.
- To strengthen collaboration between Europe and China.
- To allow researches operating in different countries to exchange ideas, knowledge and working towards a challenging common objective.