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Infectious Disease









Accelerating innovation against Infectious Diseases

Infectious Diseases remain one of the greatest threats to global health. The rise of drug-resistant infections, the spread of novel pathogens, and environmental pressures are challenging our ability to treat and prevent illness.

We are working with innovators across the sector on the assessment of novel antimicrobials, vaccines and diagnostic tests, closing the gap between early discovery and real-world impact.

We collaborate with industry, academia, patients and public health partners to support the development of novel antimicrobials, vaccines, diagnostics and to help innovators navigate the complexities of modern infectious disease R&D.


Gloved hand holding a petri dish showing orange bacterial colonies for infectious disease drug discovery research

























What we do in Infectious Diseases

We support translational research across infectious diseases, from early-stage hit finding, concept development to preclinical validation and into early clinical development. Our team combines in-house expertise with access to a national network of laboratories and partners, helping you to:

  • Design a clear, tailored translational roadmap.
  • Leverage our platforms or connect with trusted external capabilities.
  • Accelerate your programme across therapeutic, preventative and diagnostic areas.

Bacterial, viral or fungal, we work across a wide range of pathogens and diverse modalities and delivery routes. Whatever the challenge, we are here to co-develop solutions that move your project forward.




How we can support your Infectious Disease drug discovery project

Consultancy services
Our team of infectious diseases scientists provide strategic input and hands-on support. We work with you to define your goals, develop translational roadmaps, connect to our platforms, and guide you to the most relevant collaborators across the sector.

Complex Medicines
RNA-based therapeutics and targeted drug delivery require unique support. Our Complex Medicines platform provides assay development, guidance and regulatory insight to support next-generation anti-infectives.

Biomarkers
We use multi-omic approaches to uncover mechanisms of action, stratify patient populations, and develop robust pharmacodynamic biomarkers for clinical translation.

Target Engagement and Biodistribution
Access our proprietary technologies to confirm Target Engagement and visualise drug biodistribution using preclinical and clinical imaging tools.

Mechanistic Understanding and the Host Response
We have a suite of immunology in vitro, ex vivo assays and extensive range of organoid models to support your drug discovery project.










See how we have helped innovators


CPSA is an ingenious extension of the target engagement toolbox. It is easier to upscale and control in high throughput screening applications than currently available methods. With exemplary support from MDC we have smoothly incorporated it into our Drug Discovery pipeline.

Selvita

MDC’s R&D consulting has been transformative, refining our HT8457S strategy with scientific rigour, identifying and mitigating risks, and strengthening our business model, significantly enhancing Haiku’s credibility.

Haiku Therapeutics

The partnership with MDC has allowed us to secure multiple Innovate UK grants and utilise capabilities such as state-of-the-art PET, which aren’t available elsewhere.

Alchemab Therapeutics

For the first time, we have been able to generate a map of lung fibrosis in 3D at the tissue scale. Collaborating with MDC has been key to its success. Their expertise has supported the successful integration of state-of-the-art technologies, establishing a valuable new resource for the lung fibrosis community.

University of Southampton

Working with MDC allowed us to visualise drug distribution in the brain with a level of clarity we hadn’t achieved before. Their expertise in DESI-MS and willingness to design a project that met our demands provided powerful insights into diffusion patterns, giving us confidence in our compound’s delivery.

TargTex

We worked with the Mass Spectrometry team at MDC to help set up and run a complex biochemical assay. The project was technically demanding, but the deep expertise, knowledge and collaborative approach allowed the team to troubleshoot the many challenges and successfully deliver a viable approach.

Oppilotech

The team at MDC shares our passion for bringing forward innovative medicines, pioneering new technologies, and operating with data-driven flexibility. They have been integral to our project success and possess unique capabilities to support later-stage candidate selection. A truly valued collaborator and dependable partner.

Artbio

Elasmogen was impressed by the quality and rapid delivery timelines for our radiopharmaceutical dosimetry data. There was good interactivity in this project, and we are happy to recommend this service.

Elasmogen

Our collaboration with Medicines Discovery Catapult will not only enable us to engage with the wider scientific community but will also allow us to unlock the potential of Acoustic Mass Spectrometry within drug discovery.

Innovative Medicines and Early Development (IMED) Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca

It’s been absolutely amazing working with MDC and the team.

LUNAC Therapeutics

MDC supported us in developing a therapeutic for Huntington’s Disease through antibody characterisation, iPSC model development, biodistribution studies, imaging and neurodegenerative expertise.

Alchemab Therapeutics

We worked together with MDC on a very challenging and demanding project. The MDC team’s expertise in MSI, commitment and flexibility were key to a successful collaboration and reaching our objectives.

TargTex

MDC are as involved in our project as the founding team, going above and beyond what I expected. I recommend them to new ventures starting out; even if you don’t know exactly what you need, the team can work with you to achieve some phenomenal results.

KLAS Therapeutics

Working with MDC has provided expertise and intellectual input. It has also enabled access to a wider network of companies providing specialist services.

N4 Pharma

By tapping into MDC’s unique drug development expertise and facilities, we are confident we will accelerate the preclinical development of our drug delivery system and its commercialisation.

Sixfold Bioscience

It has been a pleasure working with MDC as their scientists are pleasant and have a broad range of talents.
Importantly for projects like ours, they openly and professionally exchange ideas with SMi’s scientific team and keep us abreast of their research developments.

SMi Systems

It has been great to access the Artificial Intelligence expertise at Medicines Discovery Catapult.
The team has taken an innovative approach that adds value to our product and will benefit our customers.

BioAscent

As an SME, working with MDC allows us access to scientific know-how and in vivo imaging techniques that would be impossible through any other route. The closeness, timeliness and flexibility of the collaboration significantly accelerated our ability to develop the product.

Xerion Healthcare

We have collaborated with MDC for three years, and it continues to provide valuable and high-quality data on our molecules. MDC’s input has directly impacted operational and strategic decisions for our projects and allowed us to move forward with our clinical studies.

Revolo Biotherapeutics

For early-stage SMEs in this space, I thoroughly recommend engaging with MDC, who have the end-to-end knowledge in complex medicines, can support your in-house team and provide access to key equipment that start-ups may not have.

pHion Therapeutics








Ready to enhance your Infectious Disease strategy?

We believe progress against infectious diseases comes through collaboration, advocacy and action.

Alongside our partners, we are helping to reduce ecosystem barriers by:

  • Improving access to funding and technical expertise.
  • Supporting SMEs and academics with translational challenges.
  • Championing UK leadership in infectious diseases innovation.






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