Title: Next Generation Antibacterial Medical Devices
Funder: Department of Health and Social Care

Abstract: OSPT s pioneering proprietary processes uniquely enable the attachment of multiple lytic bacteriophage strains to silk filaments, then braided, knitted or woven to produce sustainable, antibacterial medical devices. The immobilisation processes preserve the activity of all bacteriophages, eliminating most prevalent bacteria. This project will produce braided suture prototypes, first of a range of incrementally challenging devices. Sutures will comprise a cocktail of bacteriophages against Staphylococcus aureus, responsible for >30% surgical infections. Bacteriophages are naturally occurring bactericidal-only viruses. Non-toxic and targeting specific strains of bacteria, they leave eukaryotic cells and other bacteria intact, unlike other antimicrobials. Their outstanding diversity and dynamic counter-resistance limit bacterial resistance and offer unique precision medicine potential, preventing reinfections in patients. The stable integration of bacteriophages in the devices will confer months-long efficacy rather than days. The innovation lies in the unique integration of bacteriophages into devices : in contrast to &ldquo;free&rdquo;, unstable bacteriophages used as oral preparations for 100 years, OSPT s proprietary technology enables long-term device storage and bacteriophage infectivity, actively preventing the accumulation of bacteria on devices, rather than treating established infections. Whilst phage-phage interactions in mixed bacteriophage solutions result in loss of infectivity, OSPT s cocktail immobilisation processes maintain highest titer of all bacteriophages. Main barriers to clinical adoption might include : bacteriophage regulations, however expected in place before approval ; technology s disruptive nature and established device market leaders. Success of this project will help initiate early partnerships with potential licensees and grow the key opinion leader group to accelerate adoption. Freedom to Operate monitored by director/IP solicitor shows relevant prior-art is scarce, focused on oral preparations, food industry or limited to hydrogel coatings and bacteriophage encapsulation. OSPT will own all its IP and file its first process patent, currently kept trade-secret, during this project. Future IP will ultimately include attachment processes, up-scaling and product designs.

Lay abstract: OSPT s pioneering proprietary processes uniquely enable the attachment of multiple lytic bacteriophage strains to silk filaments, then braided, knitted or woven to produce sustainable, antibacterial medical devices. The immobilisation processes preserve the activity of all bacteriophages, eliminating most prevalent bacteria. This project will produce braided suture prototypes, first of a range of incrementally challenging devices. Sutures will comprise a cocktail of bacteriophages against Staphylococcus aureus, responsible for >30% surgical infections. Bacteriophages are naturally occurring bactericidal-only viruses. Non-toxic and targeting specific strains of bacteria, they leave eukaryotic cells and other bacteria intact, unlike other antimicrobials. Their outstanding diversity and dynamic counter-resistance limit bacterial resistance and offer unique precision medicine potential, preventing reinfections in patients. The stable integration of bacteriophages in the devices will confer months-long efficacy rather than days. The innovation lies in the unique integration of bacteriophages into devices : in contrast to &ldquo;free&rdquo;, unstable bacteriophages used as oral preparations for 100 years, OSPT s proprietary technology enables long-term device storage and bacteriophage infectivity, actively preventing the accumulation of bacteria on devices, rather than treating established infections. Whilst phage-phage interactions in mixed bacteriophage solutions result in loss of infectivity, OSPT s cocktail immobilisation processes maintain highest titer of all bacteriophages. Main barriers to clinical adoption might include : bacteriophage regulations, however expected in place before approval ; technology s disruptive nature and established device market leaders. Success of this project will help initiate early partnerships with potential licensees and grow the key opinion leader group to accelerate adoption. Freedom to Operate monitored by director/IP solicitor shows relevant prior-art is scarce, focused on oral preparations, food industry or limited to hydrogel coatings and bacteriophage encapsulation. OSPT will own all its IP and file its first process patent, currently kept trade-secret, during this project. Future IP will ultimately include attachment processes, up-scaling and product designs.

Research activity codes: 5.4 SURGERY
Health categories: INFECTION