Perth-based Actinogen (ASX:ACW) will commence further trials on its antibiotic research project at its new laboratory premises at Murdoch University’s State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Western Australia.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are becoming an increasing problem, with research and investment directed to discovering new effective agents and treatments.
In fact, the death rate for patients with serious infections treated in hospitals is about twice that in patients with infections caused by non-resistant bacteria.
A high percentage of hospital-acquired infections are caused by highly resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) and Clostridium difficile.
The antibiotic research program was identified as a key component of the Company’s future strategy in the drug development area.
Actinogen aims to discover and isolate a group of environmental bacteria known as the Actinomycetes.
Actinogen owns a private existing database of over 6000 actinomycetes. Previously, the library has been screened to identify actinomycetes able to produce compounds with antimicrobial activity against resistant strains.
The actinomycetes are then tested for activity against the MRSA panel, VRE, Candida spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the anaerobic pathogen Clostridium difficile.
These testing panels consist of clinical isolates of microorganisms that have developed serious antibiotic resistance patterns and can therefore be used to increase the likelihood of finding new antibiotics.
If the isolation of the active compound is successful, it may be sent to an independent laboratory for further characterisation.
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