Zaloganan-CR, a controlled-release formulation of zaloganan, represents a unique approach to prevent fracture-related infections (FRIs) due to its rapid broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and an ability to present supra-inhibitory concentrations directly at the site of contamination.
Despite progress in infection control and systemic antimicrobial therapies, up to 40% of severe traumatic fracture-related injuries become infected. These FRIs can be biofilm-based, particularly on hardware and bone, increasing the resistance to standard antibiotic treatment and making progression to blood stream infection (BSI) more likely. BSIs linked to contaminated fractures with soft tissue injury remain a significant contributor to patient morbidity and mortality and lead to significantly increased healthcare costs.
Optimized formulation
This is the second award Peptilogics has received from CARB-X. Beginning in 2020, CARB-X supported the project through preclinical testing and demonstration of safety in a first-in-human study in patients with prosthetic joint infections. The new award aims at extending the therapeutic use of zaloganan with an optimized formulation in a new and underserved indication, broadening the utility of the product.
READ MORE: Researchers develop material that reduces bacterial infection and speeds up bone healing
READ MORE: Scientists using nanotechnology to combat antibiotic-resistant infections
Every year, nearly one billion people sustain traumatic injuries, many of which result in wounds with high susceptibility for contamination and infection, such as open fractures, lacerations, and burns. Successful treatment is particularly challenging in low- and middle-income countries, such as India, where there are 14.1 million acute wounds and 4.5 million open fractures treated annually.
“Peptilogics’ development of zaloganan-CR offers the potential for a promising solution to combat fracture-related infections, which are a leading factor in patient complications and rising healthcare expenses,” said Erin Duffy, PhD, R&D Chief of CARB-X. “With its broad-spectrum activity and targeted delivery, zaloganan-CR has the potential to transform infection prevention in high-trauma injuries. We look forward to the continued progress in this critical area of healthcare.”
Staggeringly large problem
“We are delighted to extend and deepen our partnership with CARB-X to develop a controlled-release formulation for zaloganan. This additional funding allows us to accelerate our prevention program by addressing bloodstream infection linked to FRI, which is still a staggeringly large problem in surgical patient care,” said Jonathan Steckbeck, PhD, CEO of Peptilogics.
“By tackling this problem, we will not only be advancing the science of infection prevention but also pave the way to deliver a new generation of breakthrough products to patients in need. Zaloganan-CR has the potential to dramatically reduce the long-term clinical and economic impact of these serious infections, ultimately transforming outcomes for patients worldwide.”
About zaloganan
Zaloganan is an investigational therapeutic with a unique mechanism of action that targets and disrupts bacterial membranes, causing rapid broad-spectrum bacterial inactivation. Zaloganan has an extensive data package demonstrating rapid, broad-spectrum bactericidal activity against a range of pathogens, including those classified by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as critical, urgent, or high-priority due to their role in causing severe bloodstream infections.
Zaloganan has demonstrated a systemic safety profile in a Phase 1a study in healthy human volunteers and in a Phase 1b clinical trial in patients with periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), a biofilm-mediated hardware infection. The unique attributes of zaloganan-CR delivered directly at the site of infection provide the potential for a significant change in the current standard of care by preventing a devastating clinical outcome.
No comments yet