Destiny Pharma PLC (AIM:DEST) has shared a study report, recently presented at the IDWeek conference, that supports further work on its XF-73 nasal gel candidate.
The Phase 4 study was the largest ever of this type, with over 300,000 patients, and explored the link between Staphylococcus aureus decolonisation and Intensive Care Units (ICU) infection rates.
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S.aureus is the primary bacterial pathogen causing ICU infections in the US, as it is responsible for 23% of all infections. Nearly half (44%) of them are caused by the multi-antibiotic resistant strain, MRSA.
The study, Swap Out Trial, was a four-year project led by hospital infection expert Professor Susan Huang, who is Professor of Infectious Diseases at the University of California Irvine School of Medicine.
It was carried out in coordination with Healthcare Corporation America and support from the US government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The study evaluated over 300,000 patients in 233 US ICU and compared levels of infection after the use of the current main treatment, a nasal decolonisation antibiotic ointment (mupirocin) against a nasal antiseptic, iodophor.
Overall, the nasal antibiotic mupirocin was shown to be superior for the reduction of S.aureus clinical cultures compared to the nasal antiseptic iodophor.
Destiny Pharma said this study has positive implications for its XF-73 nasal gel which is being developed as a nasal S. aureus decolonisation medicine.
That is because the issue of mupirocin resistance remains a global concern and products which are as effective but do not cause Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) are “urgently needed”, the group said.
The study indicates that the nasal antiseptic iodophor is not as effective as mupirocin and underlines the significant market opportunity for XF-73 as a new medicine for hospitals to help prevent infections in the ICU and the post-surgical setting.
XF-73 has the potential to deliver a Target Product Profile (TPP) with significant advantages over mupirocin, including effective decolonisation in 24 hours compared to five days for mupirocin, quicker decolonisation making it more cost-effective, ultra-rapid bactericidal drug, novel mechanism of action and no propensity for resistance seen to its potent activity against MRSAs.
The AIM-listed group added that its candidate is easy to use, does not irritate the nose, it increases patient compliance and has a low cost of goods.
Destiny Pharma is discussing with European and US authorities how to design a late-stage trial that will lead to marketing approval.
“This large, multi-year study clearly supports the value of nasal treatment to remove S. aureus and shows yet again the significant interest in improving the efficacy of nasal decolonisation because it is a major contributor to delivering a reduction in post-surgical S. aureus infections,” commented chief executive Neil Clark.
"Destiny Pharma's XF-73 nasal gel is focused on delivering a novel decolonisation treatment and following the excellent Phase 2 clinical data, reported earlier in 2021, we remain committed to finalising our Phase 3 plans and bringing XF-73 to the hospital market to meet this clear and substantial clinical need. The company believes strongly that XF-73 has the potential to provide a major step change and improvement in S. aureus decolonisation compared to mupirocin; XF-73 is faster acting with a broader antimicrobial action. Furthermore, XF-73 does not generate resistance (AMR), which remains a major concern with the continuing use of mupirocin."