UC research shows effectiveness of ointment that kills antibiotic-resistant bacteria

“Multidrug resistant bacteria, often called ‘superbugs,’ are an ever-burgeoning global health problem,” says Hassett. “As a result, there is a critical need to develop novel and effective antimicrobials for the prevention, treatment and eradication and healing of such wounds that are complicated by the most formidable pathogen of burn patients, known as MDR-PA. Injury severity is predominantly due to potentially lethal sepsis caused by MDR-PA.”

Hassett, who is the co-corresponding author on this study with Latha Satish, PhD, director of clinical lab operations at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, says the research shows AB569 acts synergistically to kill all human burn wound strains of the pathogen in vitro. 

“AB569 not only kills the bug, it also enhances the wound-healing process,” says Hassett. “At the same time, AB569 topical application significantly increases the anti-inflammatory mediators...that allow improved epidermal restoration and the healing process to occur more rapidly and efficiently.”

AB569 was initially seen as a potential treatment for many antibiotic-resistant organisms that cause pulmonary infections in patients with cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and many other opportunistic infections. In addition to tackling COPD and cystic fibrosis, AB569 may also be effective in addressing infections related to severe burns, urinary tract disorders, endocarditis and diabetes, said Hassett.

“This study provides solid foundational evidence that AB569 can be used topically to treat highly problematic dermal [injuries] including wound, burn, blast and likely diabetic infections in civilian and military populations and help relieve the economical burden that MDR organisms have on the global health care system,” says Hassett.

Disclosures: Hassett is a stockholder and principal scientist at Arch Biopartners. AB569 is currently in a Phase 1 human trial at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center in healthy volunteers testing its safety and pharmacokinetic profile. AB569 has been licensed by the University of Cincinnati exclusively to Arch Biopartners, a Toronto-based publicly traded biotechnology company.

Lead photo of Daniel Hassett/Colleen Kelley/UC Creative + Brand