LytPhage, Inc.
A biotech development company
Monday, April 13, 2015
Embassy Suites, Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania (directions)
|
About
|
LytPhage is a new startup biotech company developing novel bacteriocidal agents that are unrelated to existing antimicrobial products, and that can be used to treat antibiotic resistant infections. First target is Enterococcal infection which is the 5th most common hospital-associated infection in the U.S. related to surgical and catheter procedures. E. faecalis is particularly associated with endocarditis and urinary tract infections, but has also been isolated from dental root canal infections. Resistance to first-line β-lactam antibiotics, aminoglycosides, and vancomycin has been reported among strains of E. faecalis as early as the 1980s. More recently, resistance even to third and fourth line antimicrobials such as linezolid and daptomycin have been reported. It is widely recognized that the pipeline of new antibiotics is insufficient to meet current and anticipated needs: only two new systemic antibacterial agents were approved for use in humans by the FDA from 2008 to 2012. The rising tide of antibiotic resistance, and the stagnation of new antibiotics being developed, is rapidly leading to a crisis in the ability to combat nosocomial infection.
LytPhage and its collaborators at Temple University are developing a novel antibiotic product that harnesses genetically-modified bacterial viruses (phage). Because phage can infect and kill only bacterial cells (and not mammalian cells), they are an attractive alternative to chemical and natural product antimicrobials. While early clinical evaluations of phage produced mixed results, they are receiving attention again due to the increasing need for new pathogen control strategies, and due to recent advances in microbiology and gene manipulation that allow more effective phage to be developed. LytPhage’s initial product is a genetically-modified lytic E. faecalis phage. This product will ultimately be used as a locally (intravesically) administered agent for the treatment, initially, of urinary tract infections in catheterized patients following a positive test for E. faecalis. In 2009, there were approximately 1 million hospitalizations due to urinary tract infections caused by enterococci. Future indications could include systemic, endocardial, and dental root canal infections.
3 Major Issues
|
- There are many antibiotic resistant species that are problems. What would be the best therapeutic indication to tackle with Enterococcus and what other problem organisms should we consider?.
- The European Regulatory Agencies historically seem more open to development of Phage technology. Should we plan to go to Europe with Phase I and II clinical programs? How would you make that decision?
- Strategies for a small company dealing with a big companiy?
Program:
|
6:30 - Cocktails & Dinner (Cash bar and special 2-entree buffet menu)
8:00 - David Hesson PhD, President of LytPhage, will deliver the Company's "Elevator" Pitch to the Group
8:20 - Panel will address three major issues crucial to helping the Company reach the next level.
9:00 - Open discussion: members and guests
|
 |
 Slides
None available at this time
 Audio
None available at this time
 Video
None available at this time
 Webcast
LytPhage Webcast - 04/13/15
|
|
|
