It is promoted and driven by a consortium led by Telum Therapeutics and made up of key organisations in Navarra’s health sector, including V Labs Analytics, the University of Navarra, the Institute of Agrobiotechnology (CSIC–IDAB) and the Navarra Health Cluster (NHC). All of them are part of an initiative supported by the Government of Navarra’s strategic R&D funding, with development running until 2027. Its aim is to deliver a groundbreaking therapeutic alternative to combat resistant hospital infections, helping to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with these conditions.
The Government of Navarra has approved the launch of ENZINETO-V. This strategic R&D project aims to develop a new generation of advanced biotechnological therapies to combat nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria, one of the greatest current challenges to public health.
Hospital-acquired infections —particularly ventilator-associated pneumonia— remain a critical threat in intensive care units. Pathogens such as Acinetobacter baumannii, increasingly resistant to conventional antibiotics, have drastically reduced treatment options, leading to higher mortality rates and increased healthcare costs.
In response to this situation, ENZINETO-V offers an innovative and highly targeted solution: enzybiotics, proteins designed to identify and break down resistant bacteria. Their main advantage is that they attack only the problematic pathogens while preserving the beneficial microbiota that protects our health.
A strong commitment from Navarra to cutting-edge biotechnology
The ENZINETO-V project aims to develop and preclinically validate a new enzybiotic targeting A. baumannii, while also exploring two routes of administration that allow the treatment to be adapted to each patient’s condition. One is intravenous administration, designed for critically ill, intubated patients in intensive care units. The other is intranasal delivery, intended for non-intubated chronic patients. This dual strategy will make it possible to optimise clinical efficacy and advance towards more personalised therapies.
A leading Navarra-based consortium in synthetic biology and health
Behind this pioneering initiative is a consortium made up of five leading organisations in the fields of synthetic biology and health in the region. They will work together on a research programme that will run for the next two years, until 2027. The project has a total budget of €2,032,281 and has received funding from the Government of Navarra, co-financed at 40% by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the 2021–2027 ERDF Operational Programme of Navarra.
As for its members, ENZINETO-V is led by Telum Therapeutics, a biotechnology company specialised in the development of enzybiotic-based therapies. It is joined by V Labs Analytics, a chemical–pharmaceutical analysis laboratory that contributes its expertise in the development and validation of analytical methods.
In the field of scientific research, the University of Navarra and the Institute of Agrobiotechnology (CSIC–IDAB) will provide support. This is complemented by the active role of the Navarra Health Cluster (NHC), which will be responsible for coordinating the project’s dissemination and communication, as well as fostering connections with Navarra’s business and healthcare ecosystems.
In this way, ENZINETO-V aims to become a groundbreaking therapeutic alternative against multidrug-resistant bacteria, helping to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with the most severe hospital-acquired infections. Its promoters are confident that their R&D&I work will contribute to generating advanced scientific knowledge in biotechnology and to driving technology transfer towards the healthcare system and industry.
It will also contribute to the creation of qualified employment (in the biotechnology, healthcare and research sectors), as well as to attracting investment linked to cutting-edge solutions in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. As a result, the region “will position itself as a leading territory in healthcare and biotechnology innovation thanks to this project,” its leaders stated.
