New bioactive compounds require strong partnerships

by Kerstin Breuer (Leibniz-HKI)

Infectious diseases remain a major challenge for global health. There is an urgent need for new active compounds, therapeutic approaches, and diagnostic methods. But how are new active compounds discovered? And how do promising approaches make the journey from the laboratory to practical application? Sascha van Beek, MdB (CDU), explored these questions during a visit to the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI) in Jena on August 13, 2026 — a stop on his summer tour focused on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). Together with researchers and representatives from Analytik Jena GmbH+Co. KG and HAPILA GmbH, he discussed how research findings can be translated into practical applications more quickly to combat infectious diseases more effectively.

Van Beek serves as spokesman for the parliamentary advisory board of the German Network against Neglected Tropical Diseases (DNTDs). His five-day summer tour took him to aid organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and research institutions to exchange views on new approaches to fighting these diseases.

Urgent need for new therapeutic compounds

Neglected tropical diseases encompass a wide variety of distinct conditions, such as dengue fever, leishmaniasis, and river blindness. They are often caused by infectious agents like bacteria or fungi. Consequently, the topic of van Beek's summer tour stop in Jena aligned perfectly with the expertise of the Leibniz-HKI: here, scientists investigate the mechanisms underlying infections and explore the potential of natural products for developing new therapeutic compounds and diagnostic methods. One example is the natural product corallopyronin A, which is currently being developed as a potential drug against parasitic worm infections such as river blindness and lymphatic filariasis.

At the start of van Beek's visit, Institute Director Prof. Axel Brakhage and Prof. Ute Hellmich from Friedrich Schiller University Jena provided insights into the fundamentals of infection research and the search for new therapeutic compounds.

"Anti-infectives are the cornerstone of modern medicine. Without them, many surgeries and intensive care procedures would be impossible. At the same time, resistance is on the rise, and we urgently need new therapeutic compounds for many infectious diseases. In this context, excellent basic research is just as crucial as collaboration with the right partners to translate promising approaches into practical applications," explains Brakhage.

Innovation through the interplay of research and industry

Van Beek experienced how this interplay works firsthand through exchanges with researchers at the Leibniz-HKI and regional business partners. He was introduced to JenXplor, a state-of-the-art robotics platform developed at the Leibniz-HKI that enables the automation of experiments and accelerates the search for new anti-infectives. The platform was designed and implemented in collaboration with Analytik Jena GmbH, a company that contributed its expertise as a provider of technology and solutions for laboratory analysis and automation.

The Leibniz-HKI also collaborates closely with various partners on the further development of promising drug candidates. One such example is the tuberculosis drug BTZ-043, which was originally discovered at the Leibniz-HKI. HAPILA GmbH, a chemical-pharmaceutical company based in Gera, has been involved in advancing this compound since 2014. HAPILA's role includes manufacturing the active ingredient in the quantities and to the quality standards required for clinical trials. BTZ-043 is currently being tested in pivotal Phase II clinical trials in collaboration with the Institute for Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine at LMU University Hospital Munich.

For van Beek, this visit to Jena provided a clear example of the many steps and diverse areas of expertise required to transform a laboratory discovery into a potential medical application — and eventually into a market-ready innovation. At the same time, the visit highlighted the vital role played by a well-connected scientific hub; the Leibniz-HKI works closely with Friedrich Schiller University Jena, and many of the institute's researchers are also involved in the “Balance of the Microverse” Cluster of Excellence.

Insights for policy work

"The fight against neglected tropical diseases is a matter of global responsibility. At the same time, the issue is becoming increasingly relevant for Germany due to climate change and the spread of infectious diseases. My visit to Jena vividly demonstrated how excellent research complements the technologies, expertise, and capabilities of industry partners, enabling laboratory findings to be translated into concrete applications. For policymakers, it is crucial to understand the hurdles along this path and to establish the right framework conditions to bring innovations more quickly to the people who need them," says van Beek.

Neglected tropical diseases affect more than a billion people worldwide. During his summer tour from August 10 to 14, 2026, van Beek engaged in direct dialogue with aid organizations, companies, and research institutions to learn about Germany's contribution to combating these diseases. The visit to Jena added a further dimension to this perspective by highlighting how new active compounds and therapeutic approaches are developed and what is required to successfully bridge the gap between research and practical application.