Polyphor discovers a new class of antibiotics
Researchers at Swiss biotechnology firm Polyphor have developed a new class of antibiotics that could be another weapon in the fight against hospital-acquired infections.
Researchers at Swiss biotechnology firm Polyphor have developed a new class of antibiotics that could be another weapon in the fight against hospital-acquired infections.
The scientists at the Allschwil firm claim the antibiotics are effective against multi-drug resistant gram-negative bacteria and offer hope for new treatments for serious and life-threatening infections.
The antibiotics work by deactivating a protein vital for the formation of the bacteria's outer cell membrane.
Polyphor worked with Professor John Robinson at the University of Zuerich, to apply its proprietary Protein Epitope Mimetics (PEM) technology to identify new antibiotics that either act against a broad spectrum of bacteria or selectively target one particular strain. The results of their study are published in Science magazine.
The most advanced drug candidate in this new class, POL7080, selectively kills the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Polyphor is currently in talks with pharmaceutical firms about possible licensing deals on the most advanced drug candidate, POL7080, and is to start Phase I clinical trials.
The company says the discovery represents a major breakthrough in antibiotic research, a rare event that occurs only once every 20 years.
Jean-Pierre Obrecht, chief executive of Polyphor, said the discovery "exemplifies the power of the PEM technology to yield a new class of drugs that complements established drug classes, such as small molecules and biopharmaceuticals".
Polyphor's product portfolio also includes POL6326, a CXCR4 antagonist, currently in Phase II trials for stem cell transplant in multiple myeloma patients and several preclinical PEMdrug candidates targeting lung and skin diseases, as well as indications related to inflammation and cancer.