New CF drug targeting Biofilms

[enniob]

A new drug called "Lynovex" just got approved by FDA that has unique multi-functional, combined properties of breaking down the excessive mucus produced in the airways. The new drug allows for destruction of the bacteria responsible for the recurrent respiratory infections in CF by disrupting/preventing the biofilms, which these bacteria typically form. By functioning in this way, it could improve lung function and halt or prevent long term damage or degeneration of respiratory tissues in people with CF. Importantly it is also intended for use by the entire CF population. Lynovex is intended for application alongside existing CF treatments and amplifies their antimicrobial effects.

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- Chris

 

[Mallika]

Hi Chris, this is great news. Is this yet another antibiotic to which bacteria can grow resistant to or is it a drug which indirectly kills the bacteria by destroying their food/habitat... Second one sounds more promising. any idea what this is. I looked into their webite but did not met info on this.

 

[enniob]

Hi Mallika, its not an antibiotic. Has multiple modes of action although the terminology used on the website is a little vague....but nevertheless very informative.

Taken directly from http://www.novabiotics.co.uk/pipeline/nm001lynovex

Mode of Action
NM001 (Lynovex[SUP]®[/SUP]) has a unique, dual antibacterial-mucoactive mode of action which aggressively tackles both of the major clinical features responsible for progressive lung deterioration in cystic fibrosis.

NM001 not only kills Gram-negative and Gram-positive respiratory bacteria (including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia) but prevents and disrupts formation of the slimy biofilms which these pathogens create in order to establish long-term, antibiotic insensitive infections/colonies in the cystic fibrosis lung environment. Experiments with sputum from cystic fibrosis patients have demonstrated NM001 is active against the panel of multi-drug resistant cystic fibrosis pathogens within the complex and challenging matrix of cystic fibrosis sputum and that NM001 reverses resistance/insensitivity to antibiotics in these microbes.
NM001 (Lynovex[SUP]®[/SUP]) is also mucolytic; acting to disrupt the mucus in cystic fibrosis patients’ airways. In vitro and ex vivo tests have shown NM001 to be more effective than currently available mucoactive agents.

- Chris