BACKGROUND
Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a serious worldwide health problem, which presents the risk of increased infection and uncontrolled transmission. Antibiotic resistance due to the misuse of drugs has genetically selected for the survival of resistant bacterial strains. This renders established antibiotic treatments ineffective against these strains, consequentially increasing mortality rates as well as economic costs. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an infection caused by a type of staph bacteria resistant to many antibiotics. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that ~ 2 % of the entire U.S. population chronically MRSA, which is normally found on the skin. In addition to resistant bacteria, fungal infections from antifungal-resistant Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans are also on the rise; these two fungal infections now claim 200,000 lives annually, with fewer options to treat them. To address this loss of clinical-effective options, some research into a new generation of antimicrobial agents focusing on photoactive compounds. Although some biocidal macromolecules that can be activated by visible or ultraviolet light have been developed, they have been toxic to mammalian cells, thus far. There is a critical need for novel, broad-spectrum antimicrobials to combat resistant microbes like MRSA and fungi, which also have varied modes of activation to prevent the evolution of additional resistance.
SUMMARY OF TECHNOLOGY
An OSU research team has developed novel compounds with antimicrobial and antifungal activity. Inspired by eumelanin, the lead compound exhibits high biocidal activity against MRSA and fungal pathogens including C. neoformans and C. albicans. It has a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 16 µg/mL (17.1 µM) for clinical isolated MRSA which is significantly smaller than the concentration (i.e., 62.5 µg/mL) that causes cytotoxicity in HeLa cells. The MIC for clinical isolated C. neoformans is 1.75 µg/mL (1.86 µM) and is 2.7 µg/mL (2.87 µM) for C. albicans; these are also well below human cell cytotoxicity. Our preliminary data suggest that EIPE-1 has great potential for development as a new treatment of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and fungi.
POTENTIAL AREAS OF APPLICATION
- Treatment of infections caused by MRSA, Cryptococcus neoformans, or Candida albicans
- Disinfection of equipment and surfaces, particularly in medical, military, correctional, and athletic settings, which are prone to MRSA and fungal outbreaks
COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITY
Due to the increased prevalence of multidrug resistant bacterial and fungal infections, immune-compromised populations, and growing awareness about antibiotic resistant bacterial infections, enhanced market growth is virtually guaranteed. The global MRSA drug market is valued at ~ US$ 984 million in 2020 and is expected to grow to US$1.4 billion by 2023. We are searching for industry collaborators to help develop and commercialize this patent-pending technology.
STATE OF DEVELOPMENT
A lead compound has been tested using in-vitro assays at OSU research laboratories. Mouse model experiments will soon commence.