Grant: Proof of Principle Program - Phase I

The current therapy for infectious diseases is facing twin threats. On the one hand antibiotic and antiviral resistance is rising rapidly; on the other there are relatively few novel compounds or strategies under development or entering the clinic. The frequent growth of bacteria as biofilms, which are surface-associated bacterial communities that grow in a protective matrix, is of great concern. Biofilm infections are especially difficult to treat with conventional antibiotics, and are a major problem in trauma patients with major injuries and individuals with an implanted medical device, causing 60% or more of all clinical infections. Based on our breakthrough observation that a human peptide LL-37 is able to inhibit biofilm formation and dissolve existing biofilms, we screened for and obtained small, protease-resistant peptides that have potent broad-spectrum anti-biofilm properties. Here we propose to perform pre-clinical investigations on these peptides as a novel treatment for biofilm infections, preparatory to commercialization.