SPRINT-TB: Driving Better Tuberculosis Treatment Through Research
Tuberculosis is still among the most serious high-burden infectious diseases globally, causing roughly 8.6 million cases and 1.3 million deaths every year — second only to HIV. Asia carries a large share of this burden, accounting for 59% of TB cases worldwide. SPRINT-TB (Singapore Programme of Research Investigating New Approaches to Treatment of Tuberculosis) exists to develop improved, more effective treatments for the disease.
Established in 2014, the programme spans the entire research pathway — from mycobacterial target discovery and drug development through to clinical trials and treatment delivery. SPRINT-TB is hosted at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and collaborates with academic and industry partners in Singapore, Asia, Europe and the USA. A Scientific Advisory Board oversees the programme.
Programme Lead: Prof. Nick Paton
Four Research Themes from Bench to Bedside
SPRINT-TB coordinates over 30 research projects across four sequential themes that move discoveries from the laboratory into patient care.
- Theme 1: Bacterial Target Discovery — Lead: A/Prof. Thomas Dick
- Theme 2: Drug Discovery — Lead: Prof. Alex Matter
- Themes 3 & 4: Clinical Development & Treatment Delivery — Lead: Prof. Nick Paton
What the Programme Sets Out to Achieve
- Identify new genes that are essential for dormancy in mycobacteria
- Uncover new chemically-validated dormancy targets
- Find new clinical candidate compounds that are active against TB
- Pinpoint innovations in standard TB drug development — pre-clinical or clinical — that speed up or strengthen the evaluation of new compounds or combination regimens
- Assess new or re-purposed antibacterial drugs that could shorten treatment regimens
- Assess new or re-purposed immune-modulatory drugs that could shorten treatment regimens
- Determine an effective shorter regimen for drug-sensitive TB
- Identify enhancements to TB treatment delivery systems that improve adherence and/or clinical outcomes
- Build an Asian TB trials and clinical research network
Discover More About SPRINT-TB
Find out more about the programme, its research themes and ways to get involved.
About the Programme Research Theme 1: Target Discovery Theme 2: Drug Development Theme 3: Clinical Trials Theme 4: Treatment Delivery Scientific Advisory Board News Events Journal Club Annual Symposium Giving Careers Contact Contact Us Download Annual ReportStay Connected With SPRINT-TB
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Facebook Twitter Home Terms & ConditionsSPRINT-TB brings together target discovery, drug development, clinical trials and treatment delivery under one programme, with a Scientific Advisory Board providing oversight. Its four themes and more than 30 projects are designed to shorten and strengthen TB treatment, while building an Asian clinical research network.