Superbug symptoms under attack from life science business

LIFE sciences business OptiBiotix has filed a patent for a product which combats infections caused by superbugs such as MRSA.

Contagious and life-threatening, superbug MRSA is resistant to a number of widely used antibiotics, meaning the infections it causes are more difficult to treat.

York-based OptiBiotix Health, which develops compounds to tackly obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes, has developed microbial proteins to fight superbug infections (also known as Health Care Acquired Infections or HCAIs)

HCAIs lead to higher morbidity and mortality, and cost the NHS an estimated £1bn per year. OptiBiotix says this represents a global market opportunity of US$82bn.

These proteins are likely to be delivered in creams or oils with the aim of reducing the risk of infection from AMR superbugs such as MRSA.

Stephen O’Hara, CEO of OptiBiotix, said: “These proteins prevent skin damage, stop pathogenic bacteria from growing, and most importantly prevent it from reattaching, reducing the risk of reinfection with AMR superbugs. The mechanism of action is different from current treatments which may kill bacteria but then allow reattachment with more resistant bacteria.

“We see this as an exciting advance on current therapies and hope that it will make a significant contribution to diminish the pain and suffering cause by AMR to vulnerable patients in hospitals across the world.”

OptiBiotix recently celebrated its first year on AIM and finished 2015 with a successful share placing, raising £1.5m to invest in a new product pipeline

The business reported £28.0m in revenues for the year to 30 November, andt had made a loss of £1.42m.