Biotech company receives €12m for antibiotic alternative
Staphefekt was first introduced in 2013 as the active compound in Gladskin, the world’s first lysin (enzyme) based product registered for human use, which specifically targets S. aureus, including MRSA on skin. As opposed to traditional antibiotics, Staphefekt only kills harmful bacteria.
According to the company, “With Micreos endolysin technology, for the first time we can kill only the unwanted bacteria – including antibiotic resistant strains – while leaving the beneficial bacteria intact.”
Endolysins are bacteria-killing enzymes that originate from bacteriophages (phages) – which kill nearly half of the planet’s bacteria every two days.
The company’s research has also shown that endolysin use does not induce resistance. Additionally, it can be used in combination with other antimicrobials.
The new funding runs until 2017 and will be used for the development of Staphefekt as a pharmaceutical (Rx) product.
"We are delighted with this influx of additional funding. It confirms investors' continued confidence in our technology," said CEO Mark Offerhaus.
Micreos has been working on antibacterial technology to help replace antibiotics for more than a decade at its Endolysin and a Phage Technology & Production Centre in The Netherlands.
The company’s pipeline also includes products to fight against E. coli in developing countries, and C. difficile, a resistant bacterial species which causes fatal hospital diarrhea.
