DARPA selects three teams to develop novel therapeutics through HEALR program

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency recently selected three teams to support the Harnessing Enzymatic Activity for Lifesaving Remedies (HEALR) program.

The HEALR program, which bolsters chemical biology, medicinal chemistry, and microbiology expertise to transform the field of antimicrobial therapeutics, is slated to address three Technical Areas and be divided into three phases.

The Yale University team will use synthetic chemistry and the body’s own protein recycling systems to destroy bacterial pathogens.

The University of Washington team will create and refine tools allowing manipulation of the relationship between the human body and invading bacterium to neutralize and destroy the invader.

The Broad Institute team will use chemical biology, chemistry, and drug discovery methodologies to discover and exploit pathogen weaknesses, then leverage the body’s elimination mechanisms to destroy them.

“The discovery of penicillin fundamentally changed the landscape of human health, saving the lives of millions of people from bacterial disease,” Seth M. Cohen, program manager for the HEALR program, said. “HEALR aspires to do the same by extending our ability to keep warfighters healthy, speed their recoveries, and control infection. We have confidence that the teams selected have the expertise, drive, and creativity necessary to meet these ambitious goals.”

Once the program is completed in 4.5 years, DARPA will require the teams to submit new drug candidates to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for review.

“Drugs that can target and eliminate even highly resistant and immune-evasive bacterial infections can shorten recovery time, reduce injury complications, and save lives,” Cohen said. “That is the ultimate outcome we are seeking for warfighters.”