Destiny Pharma PLC (AIM:DEST, OTC:DTTYF)'s scientific advisory board (SAB) has endorsed the planned development of the company's key asset, XF-73 Nasal, which has been created to target post-surgical infections.
The panel, comprising surgeons and infectious disease experts from the UK and the US, backed the proposed phase III pathway for the breakthrough gel.
This programme, which includes two placebo-controlled surgical studies, reflects the broad utility of XF-73 Nasal across various surgeries, investors were told.
The studies are designed around input from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a process that ensures the trials meet regulatory standards.
The experts emphasised the rapid antimicrobial action of XF-73 Nasal, highlighting its potential to offer greater flexibility in scheduling surgeries. This speed and flexibility could provide direct benefits to both patients and healthcare institutions.
The issue of antimicrobial resistance is a pressing global concern, with certain bacteria such as S. aureus and resistant strains such as MRSA and MupRSA posing significant clinical challenges.
According to the expert panel, XF-73 Nasal's unique and fast-acting mechanism could help address this problem by reducing the need for systemic antibiotics after surgery. It could also potentially prevent the spread of S. aureus between individuals, further contributing to effective antibiotic management.
The panel also identified new potential life cycle applications for the discovery, particularly among children and their families.
"This thought-provoking meeting has confirmed Destiny Pharma is on the right path and that XF-73 Nasal provides a much-needed addition to the armoury against AMR and surgical site infections," said Dr Debra Barker, Destiny's interim chief executive.