A collaboration between Creative Antibiotics Sweden AB and Griffith University is expected to result in the development of a new treatment against antibiotic-resistant infections.

 

The new compound, called INP11252, has been identified following a screening project by Griffith’s Eskitis Institute for Cell Molecular Therapies and has been licensed to Creative Antibiotics for further development and eventual production.

 

The compound was found to disable certain bacteria that have traditionally showed increased virulence against traditional treatment, allowing the body to use natural defences to clear out the infection.

 

Termed a ‘virulence blocker’, the compound is expected to reduce bacteria developing resistance to antibiotics.


Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the target of INP11252, is one of the most challenging bacteria to beat. It can cause severe infections in the urinary tract and deep burn wounds and is harmful for cystic fibrosis patients.

 

The Eskitis Institute will produce more of INP11252 by extracting it from raw plant material from Papua New Guinea, supplied through established contacts. It will be used for further studies of its anti-virulent effects in animals, in preparation for safety studies and clinical trials in humans.

"Resistance to antibiotics is on the rise and there are very few antibiotics against certain harmful bacteria currently in the production pipeline," said Dr Stuart Newman, Strategic Development Manager for the Eskitis Institute.

"Unfortunately, the antibiotics that we do have are becoming less effective against infections. This collaboration will eventually allow Creative Antibiotics to develop a new drug to combat these infections."