Novel Antibacterial Compounds Avoid Microbial Resistance
Overview
According to the Centers for Disease Control’s Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2019, more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur in the United States each year, and more than 35,000 people die as a result. Thus there is an urgent need for new ant-bacterial compounds that meet minimal or no resistance build-up. Our invention consists of novel antibacterial diamide compounds, and methods for using the compounds, to treat and prevent bacterial infection.
Market Opportunity
Numerous antibacterial agents in current use are becoming less effective as a result of microbial resistance. Though efforts to rein in the misuse and overuse of antibiotics can help, understanding the mechanisms by which bacteria develop resistance and designing drugs to circumvent these mechanisms is essential.
Innovation and Meaningful Advantages
Many potent antibiotics target peptidoglycan, the mesh-like polymer that surrounds the cells of most types of bacteria and is the major structural component of the cell that confers strength, support, and shape. We have identified novel small-molecule inhibitors of N-acetylglucosaminidases, which are components of peptidoglycan. Compounds we have developed have demonstrated antibacterial activity against a variety of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including, but not limited to, B. subtilis Lyt, S. pneumoniae, C. difficile, and S. aureus.
Our invention includes pharmaceutical compositions consisting of at least one compound of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Some versions also include at least one additional antibacterial agent. Routes of administration of our invention include oral, nasal, rectal, intravaginal, parenteral, buccal, sublingual, and topical.
Collaboration Opportunity
We are interested in exploring 1) startup opportunities with investors in the infectious disease space and 2) research collaborations with leading pharmaceutical companies to develop this treatment.
Principal Investigator
Amit Basu, PhD
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Brown University
amit_basu@brown.edu
Brown Tech ID #2365J
https://vivo.brown.edu/display/abasu
Contact
Brown Technology Innovations
401-863-7499
tech-innovations@brown.edu
IP Information
2020-11-10 US10829440B2; published.
2016-12-15 WO2016/201288A1; published.
Publication
Nayyab S, O’Connor M, Brewster J, Gravier J, Jamieson M, Magno E, Miller RD, Phelan D, Roohani K, Willard P, Basu A, Reid CW. Diamide Inhibitors of the Bacillus subtilis N-Acetylglucosaminidase LytG That Exhibit Antibacterial Activity. ACS Infectious Diseases. 08 May 2017;3(6);421-427. doi: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.7b00005.