Synthetic Biologics to develop monoclonal antibodies for treating acinetobacter infections

Synthetic Biologics, Inc. commenced development of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy for the treatment of acinetobacter infections.

Over time, acinetobacter has built up an augmented resistance to antibiotics and various other drugs. Therefore a new remedial alternative is required to treat infectious diseases founded by this bacteria, explained Jeffrey Riley, chief executive officer of Synthetic Biologics, Inc.

The treatment of acinetobacter infection is the first of three initial targeted infectious diseases that the mAb development will tackle.

Acinetobacter strains are an ever-growing global danger to wounded military personnel, hospitalised patients and those affected by natural disasters. Being a multidrug-resistant pathogen, acinetobacter is extremely difficult to treat because of its known denial of most antibiotics.

Additionally, it is a biofilm-forming pathogen and has the capability to stay alive up to twice as long as non-biofilm-forming pathogens.

Acinetobacter has been found to be the reason for up to 2.6 per cent of hospital acquired infections, 1.3 per cent of bloodstream infections and seven per cent of ICU respiratory tract infections in the US alone.

Hospital and ICU patient mortality rates originating from the acinetobacter range from 7.8 per cent to 43 per cent.

The company has involved Lewis Barrett, vice president and global business manager of Infectious Diseases at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. Mr Barrett will use his expertise in the development, commercialization and commencement of infectious disease product candidates to the Synthetic Biologics' group.

"We believe the threat of this pathogen coupled with a scarcity of new antibiotics creates a perfect storm. Novel biologic therapies such as Synthetic Biologics' mAbs, with new targets and mechanisms, are especially exciting," stated Mr Barrett.

Mr Riley believes that the company has remarkable prospects in creating a wide range of fully human antibodies to battle against acinetobacter, particularly because of their collaboration with Intrexon who will offer the use of state-of-the-art platforms.

Posted by Neil Clark