Latvian biotechnology company "Alternative Plants" receives European funding to address pressing medical challenges
The Latvian biotechnology startup "Alternative Plants" has received European Union funding and has become a partner in two projects addressing pressing challenges in medicine.
One of the supported projects aims to use bioengineering solutions derived from renewable resources to prevent antibiotic resistance in bone tissue applications (RESCUE). "Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health crisis that causes millions of deaths each year. It is projected to become the leading cause of death by 2050 if preventive measures are not taken. Bone infections, particularly osteomyelitis and implant-associated infections, significantly increase this burden, especially with multidrug-resistant pathogens that complicate treatment. Antibiotic-based treatment of bone infections is often ineffective due to biofilm formation, side effects, and increasing bacterial resistance. Therefore, the goal of the RESCUE project is to develop innovative injectable nanocomposite hydrogels with antimicrobial and osteogenic properties, thereby reducing the amount of antibiotics used," explains Mārtiņš Borodušķis, co-founder and COO of "Alternative Plants."
The lead partner of the project is Riga Technical University (RTU). The total project cost is 656,000 euros. Funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) amounts to 509,712 euros, state budget funding to 89,872 euros, and private co-financing to 56,416 euros. The project is scheduled to be completed by September 30, 2028.
The second "Alternative Plants" approved project is being implemented in collaboration with the University of Latvia as the lead partner and the Max Planck Institute in Germany. It focuses on the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections. The project’s goal is to develop a sustainable and cost-effective multimodal approach for the production of antimicrobial peptides and levans. Using the microorganism Zymomonas mobilis, naturally occurring substances with antibacterial properties will be obtained.
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