Combining Aminoglycoside Antibiotics and PKZ18 Analogs

Background:

To increase drug efficacy and reduce the risk of the development of resistance to treatment, clinicians often prescribe multiple drugs of different classes in combination. For example, many topical creams use an aminoglycoside antibiotic in combination with one or two other drugs, such as neomycin, bacitracin, and polymyxin b. Unfortunately, aminoglycosides are extremely cytotoxic and usually only used as topical treatments or as a last line of defense. As a result, identifying antibiotics that work synergistically with PKZ18 drugs is considered a promising area of research for improving the efficacy of these drugs, and potentially expanding the usability of antibiotics already in clinical use.

Technology Overview:

This technology combines PKZ18-22, the most promising analog, with antibiotics from multiple different classes. This synergy provides up to an 8-fold increase in efficacy of aminoglycosides when a small amount of PKZ18-22 is added. Combining PKZ18 analogs and aminoglycosides can therefore enhance the efficacy of both drugs, while also moderating or diminishing antibacterial resistance formation. This technology also expands the therapeutic window, as bacterial growth inhibition can be achieved with much lower concentrations than if either drug were used by itself. PKZ18-22 and other PKZ18 analogs are more effective in nutrient limiting conditions while the opposite is true for aminoglycosides, so combining these drugs allows targeting of bacteria in varied environments.

Advantages:

•    Reduces the risk of antimicrobial resistance.
•    Enhances the efficacy of both PKZ18 analogs and aminoglycosides drugs.
•    Lowers the amounts of aminoglycosides needed while maintaining or increasing their effectiveness.
•    Allows targeting of bacteria in varied environments.

Applications:

The primary application for this technology is the development of antimicrobial treatments based on the combination of PKZ18 analogs and aminoglycosides drugs.

Intellectual Property Summary:

Issued U.S. Patent No. 11,617,741, filed 8/12/21, issued 4/4/23.
 

Stage of Development:

TRL 3 - Experimental proof of concept

Licensing Status:

This technology is available for licensing.

Licensing Potential:

This technology would be of interest to anyone involved in the development of antibiotics, including:
•    Pharmaceutical developers.
•    Hospitals.
•    Medical research laboratories.
•    Educational institutions involved in medical research.