Destiny Pharma has published new data on its XF-73 drug showing that it can boost the effectiveness of current standard of care antibiotics when used in combination.
The new in-vitro data stemmed from experiments by Dr Emma Board-Davies and Professor David Williams at the School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, studying the potential for XF-based drugs to enhance the effectiveness of key antibacterial treatments - many of which are now suffering from the emergence of bacterial resistance mechanisms, it said.
When combined with polymyxin B, a last resort antibacterial drug used to treat life-threatening lung bacterial infections, XF-73 enhanced polymyxin B potency against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a top priority WHO bacterial pathogen, by 4-fold, the research found.
In addition, when combined with ertapenem, used to treat infected diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), XF-73 was found to enhance ertapenem potency against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), another top priority WHO bacterial pathogen, by 8-fold.
Results from the £1.6mln collaboration between Destiny Pharma, Cardiff University, China Medical Systems and the University of Tianjin were published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, a peer-reviewed publication.
Bill Love, Chief Scientific Officer of Destiny Pharma, added: " These latest data emerging from the highly successful InnovateUK, China AMR XF-based drug project have identified new opportunities to deliver better treatments for lung and DFU infections by using XF-73 alongside established antibacterial drugs.
“The addition of XF-73 significantly enhances the potency of these approved antibacterial drugs, which should improve their ability to treat such infections.
“We will be exploring the options for further research and development to progress XF-73 in such combinations to improve the treatment of these serious lung and DFU infections."