Develop medicines

Testing novel drugs and vaccines in clinical trials is a vital step to improve the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. We plan to integrate digital solutions like computer-based simulations and artificial intelligence to identify promising drug and vaccine candidates and streamline their development. In the future, natural substances will be explored to identify bioactive compounds inspired by traditional application of medicinal plants and use of plants by animals for self-healing. At the Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), high-resolution molecular imaging techniques of critical molecules will be applied to identify potential targets for drug and vaccine candidates. Our research on pathophysiology paves the way for intervention studies by identifying addressable pathways and mechanisms.

Clinical research plays a vital role in turning scientific discoveries into real-world health solutions. Yet, due to limited commercial incentives, the pharmaceutical industry often overlooks diseases that mainly affect LMICs. To accelerate development, we will deepen internal collaboration across disciplines - especially with our teams in diagnostics and implementation research - to conduct large-scale intervention studies for promising therapeutic and preventive substances. One of our key goals is to establish BNITM as a leading centre for the clinical development of evidence-based interventions in tropical medicine, including vaccines, treatments, and prevention strategies.

We plan to expand clinical and research infrastructures - both in Hamburg and at our long-standing partner sites in Ghana, Gabon, and Nigeria - into full-service platforms with with modern facilities, rigorous quality management, expert teams, and advanced training programs. This will enable us to carry out clinical studies in line with the highest international standards.