Proof of concept for lysin based therapy against mycobacterial infections

The project is based on a Swedish Research Council funded research project Lysin enzymes as tools for treating mycobacterial infections, with an aim to verify the useability and suitability of the novel enzyme constructs based on mycobacteriophage lysins (enzymes produced by bacteriophages to cleave the bacterial host cell wall) as alternatives to antibiotics for the treatment of mycobacterial infections that are among the most deadly and disabling diseases globally.

Moreover, development of multi-drug resistant strains against the most effective drugs is making treatment of these infections very challenging.

We have developed unique chimeric proteins (using gene technology to fuse different lysins) with highly potent and selective activity against mycobacteria.

The project will involve in vitro and ex vivo studies to generate proof of concept data on two selected pure chimeric proteins with respect to their bactericidal efficacy against tuberculosis and non-tuberculosis mycobacterial pathogens causing pulmonary and topical infections, their safety and stability, and development of formulations suited for treating skin infections.

The project will involve 3 partners with relevant expertise and an advisory board with experience in innovation and commercialization.

The potential success of the project will open up the possibility of working with stakeholders for developing commercial lysin based antimycobacterial products and reduce the use of antibiotics.