Home
PDEs as drug targets
Phosphodiesterases make good drug targets because they bind small ligands and share similar catalytic mechanisms, while displaying unique architectures around their active sites. This allows for the development of selective inhibitors.
PDE4NPD and the EU
The PDE4NPD Project is one of four neglected parasitic disease (NPD) projects funded under the auspices of the European Commission’s FP7 HEALTH programme.
Latest news
PDE4NPD delivers valuable drug discovery platform for neglected parasitic diseases
The four-year PDE4NPD (PhosphoDiEsterases for Neglected Parasitic Diseaseas) project will formally end this week. “I am happy to conclude that we have delivered promising lead candidates and a valuable drug discovery platform for neglected parasitic diseases,” said Principal Investigator Rob Leurs (VU Amsterdam).
Sleeping sickness
Puts 65 million people at risk of infection, with 20,000 new cases annually. Affects the central nervous system, and also inflicts economic damage via infections in cattle.
Leishmaniasis
A parasitic sporadic/epidemic disease infecting more than 12 million people worldwide, causing 20-30,000 deaths each year.
Chagas Disease
Causes cardiac disorders or digestive alterations in 40% of patients, and can lead to death (7,000 each year) or life-long disability. Chronically infects 6-7 million people.
Schistosomiasis
Affects 78 countries, with 240 million infected people – imposing an economic burden second only to malaria in endemic countries.
The PDE4NPD project is supported by the European Union 7th Framework Program (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement n° 602666. This website reflects only the author's views and the European Commission is not liable for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.