Therapeutic Solutions
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), at least 80% of bacterial infections are biofilm-related. Very recent research has shown for the first time that Mycobacterium tuberculosis can also form biofilms. Tuberculosis is highly prevalent in the Eastern hemisphere. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), fully one-third of the world’s population are currently carriers of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is imperative that we develop solutions to manage microbial biofilms, a relatively recently recognized, extremely resilient form of microbial life. Microbion’s bismuth-thiols are very potent anti-biofilm, anti-infective compounds. Clinical studies on our first therapeutic drug candidate are anticipated to be initiated in 2010.
Microbion’s therapeutic pipeline includes bismuth-thiol compounds under development to prevent microbial biofilms in wounds, as well as bismuth-thiol compounds anticipated to treat tuberculosis, protect against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and address many other infections. In addition, Microbion intends to develop bismuth-thiols to prevent infections caused by acts of bioterrorism. We are committed to the development of safe, effective approaches to prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.
Medical Device Coating Solutions
Biofilms can attach to surfaces of any kind. When microbes contact a surface such as a medical device, many are activated to adhere to that surface and to form biofilms very rapidly. These device-related biofilms are known to be responsible for infections related to implanted medical devices, including catheters, prosthetic joints and other external medical devices such as hospital ventilators. Up to 6% of implanted medical devices become infected. Device-related infections are estimated to cause almost half of the approximately two million hospital-caused (nosocomial) infections that occur in the United States each year.
Microbion's bismuth-thiol coatings are being developed to prevent microbial biofilms from forming on medical devices implanted in the body. Such microbial biofilms are related to infections and medical device failures. We are currently working with an advanced commercialization partner in certain medical device areas, and are seeking a commercialization partner in the orthopedic medical device space. Studies to advance regulatory approvals are currently underway.
