Novel Drug Candidate Shows Significant Promise against Rare Pathogens that Cause Life-Threatening Lung Infections in CF Patient

  BOSTON, MA - 06/20/2016 (PRESS RELEASE JET)

A next-generation antibiotic being developed by researchers at the New York-based pharmaceutical company TGV-inhalonix is significantly more effective than traditional drugs in fighting the rise in airway pathogens that cause life-threatening lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients, according to research presented today at ASM Microbe 2016.

Victor Tetz, drug development advisor for TGV-inhalonix, and infectious diseases specialist Dr. Michael Cynamon of the Syracuse VA Medical Center, detailed their findings on TGV-inhalonix’s inhaled antimicrobial, Mul-1867, in an abstract and poster accepted for presentation at the conference, which boasts the world’s largest gathering of microbiologists.

“Mul-1867 is a breakthrough, novel drug candidate that we believe holds considerable promise in treating the chronic and rising number of antibiotic-resistant infections that often prove fatal for cystic fibrosis patients,” Tetz said. 

The abstract and paper detailed a study comparing Mul-1867 to the drug Amikacin. The researchers said their results proved Mul-1867 to be significantly more effective, completely eradicating the bacterial biofilms of the highly drug-resistant airway pathogens Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Achromobacter xylosoxidans and Mycobacterium abscessus.

“As a result of treatment of ‘classic’ bacterial infections in cystic fibrosis (CF), there are now increasing problems with innately resistant new airway pathogens such as S.maltophilia, A.xylosoxidans, M.abscessus,” the abstract said. “These bacteria are increasingly described as pathogens in CF patients, are associated with higher morbidity among CF patients and display high resistance to antimicrobials.”

Tetz said Mul-1867 also offers broader potential for the treatment of various bacterial and fungal infections in patients with compromised immune systems and the general population, including respiratory tract infections in COPD patients, ventilator-associated pneumonia and fungal pneumonia. 

The new study results were released 11 days after George Tetz, chief scientific advisor at TGV-inhalonix, gave an oral presentation to the European Cystic Fibrosis Conference about a separate study indicating Mul-1867 provides 90 percent and greater protection against mortality from lung infections caused by mixes of other drug-resistant bacteria and fungi.

“While there are a number of new drugs being tested to fight the chronic lung infections that plague cystic fibrosis patients, Mul-1867 is the first drug candidate under development that holds promise against multiple strains of bacteria, as well those infections cause by a mix of bacteria and fungi,” George Tetz said.

Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that causes mucus buildup that clogs the airways and traps bacteria, leading to infections, extensive lung damage and eventually, respiratory failure. According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the median predicted survival age in persons with cystic fibrosis in the United States is 39.3 years.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently granted Mul-1867 Orphan Drug Designation based on early indications of its potential for fighting lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients. The special status is intended to provide incentives for the development of drugs and biologics to treat rare diseases.

For more information about George and Victor Tetz and TGV-inhalonix, please contact Max Smetannikov (MVG) at +1.212.330.8063 ext. 1001, info@mvgmain.com