Protein targeting antibiotics bring new hope against multi-drug resistance

Polyphor presented promising data for their novel class of antibiotics, the Outer Membrane Protein Targeting Antibiotics (OMPTA), the first new class of antibiotic against Gram-negative pathogens to reach advanced clinical development in over 40 years.

Murepavadin (POL7080), the first member of the OMPTA class – currently in Phase II and soon expected to enter Phase III – is being developed for the treatment of the most severe Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) infection – nosocomial pneumonia (including hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia) – a disease with a death rate of 20-50%.

Multi-drug resistance

Early initiation of effective antimicrobial treatment for PA pulmonary infections is critical and a strong predictor of mortality. However, multi-drug resistant (MDR) PA has become a global problem and, as such, treatment is becoming more challenging with limited options available. Murepavadin, by means of its novel and unique mechanism of action, is extremely active and is being developed as first line treatment for MDR cases.

Dr Ignacio Martin-Loeches, St James’ Hospital, Trinity College, explained, "PA represents a significant threat to the most vulnerable hospital patients, including intensive care patients, those with depleted immune systems such as those with cancer, people with severe burns and premature babies in neonatal units.

Treatment options are limited and so this new class of antibiotics is desperately needed."

Clinical cure rates

The data shows a high rate of clinical cure (91%) and low rate of mortality (9%) at day 28 in a small patient group (12 patients), when treated with Murepavadin. They also demonstrated that multiple doses of Murepavadin were considered to be safe and with acceptable tolerability.

"Antibiotic resistance is one of the most serious health threats of our time with significant global implications. New treatment options are urgently needed", highlighted Prof Antoni Torres, Respiratory Institute Hospital Clinic.

Promising new antimicrobials

Dr Glenn Dale, Head of Early Development, Antimicrobials, Polyphor added, "Murepavadin’s single pathogen focus prevents a build-up of resistance against other pathogens, which is a common problem with antibiotics. The findings show that our proposed dose of Murepavidin could be a promising new antimicrobial to treat PA. This year, we expect Murepavadin to enter Phase III trials and take another step to bring it to patients. In addition, our OMPTA platform could bring further new important therapies in the treatment of Gram-negative pathogens."