Projects

OneHealthDrugs (COST Action CA21111) is an interdisciplinary European network (2021–2026) dedicated to discovering drugs for vector-borne diseases like Malaria and Leishmaniasis. Coordinated by Prof. Maria Paola Costi, it operates under the One Health principle, acknowledging the interconnected health of humans, animals, and the environment.

1. OneHealthdrugs

The COST Action CA21111, known as OneHealthDrugs (2021-2026), under the Horizon Europe framework, is a European interdisciplinary network focused on the discovery and development of drugs to combat vector-borne diseases (VBDs) such as Leishmaniasis, Malaria and Chagas disease. It operates under the "One Health" principle, which recognizes that the health of humans, animals, and the environment is inextricably linked. 

The Action is coordinated by Prof. Maria Paola Costi (Action Chair)

Core Objectives

The primary mission of OneHealthDrugs is to coordinate a synergistic drug discovery pipeline that addresses both human and veterinary needs while minimizing environmental impact.

• Integrated Drug Discovery: Coordinating the search for new leads that are effective across species (human and animal) to streamline R&D costs and timelines.
• Environmental Sustainability: Prioritizing "Green Chemistry" and ecotoxicology. The Action aims to identify drugs with low environmental persistence to prevent the contamination of ecosystems during manufacturing and excretion.
• Technological Innovation: Enhancing advanced drug delivery systems (e.g., nanotechnology), PROTAC strategies, and in silico (computational) modeling to predict drug toxicity and efficacy.
• Knowledge Consolidation: Developing a comprehensive BioTarget and Database and a central library of compounds to facilitate open-access collaboration among European researchers, SMEs, and industry partners.
• Global Impact: Bridging the gap between Northern and Southern hemisphere knowledge, specifically targeting diseases that are endemic in developing regions but emerging in Europe due to climate change.

Education and Training

A major pillar of the Action is the OneHealthDrugs Academy, designed to empower Early Career Investigators (ECIs) and establish a new generation of "One Health Ambassadors."

• Training Schools: The Action organizes intensive, multi-day schools across Europe. Recent and upcoming topics include:
  • Natural Products in Drug Discovery (Naples, Italy).
  • In vitro Cell Culture Models for parasitic diseases (Warsaw, Poland).
  • Crash Courses in Ecotoxicology (Namur, Belgium).
  • Structural Biology and MedChem strategies for lead optimization (Modena, Bologna, Siena, Italy).
• Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs): Funding is provided for researchers to visit laboratories in other participating countries to learn specific techniques, share infrastructure, and foster long-term collaborations.
• Virtual Mobility & Workshops: Regular webinars and virtual workshops (e.g., on drug resistance or bioinformatics) ensure continuous learning and accessibility for members across all 40+ participating countries.
• Mentorship: Through "Young Innovator" mini-workshops, the Action provides a platform for junior scientists to present their work to industry leaders and regulatory experts, facilitating the transition from academia to professional sectors.

By integrating chemistry, biology, veterinary medicine, and environmental science, OneHealthDrugs ensures that future drug developers are equipped to handle the complex, multi-species challenges of the 21st century.

 

Stay Connected: Follow the project for updates and opportunities on LinkedIn: OneHealthdrugs COST Action – CA21111 or visit the official website at onehealthdrugs.com

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