Researchers at Swansea University are one step closer to producing an antibacterial agent to wipe out MRSA in the NHS.
The team revealed their latest research into a new type of antibacterial discovered in maggot secretions at the Royal Entomological Society’s national meeting, which took place at the Swansea University this week.
In 2008, researchers at Swansea discovered the antibiotic which can tackle up to 12 different strains of MRSA, as well as E. coli and C. difficile. The research team have now isolated, purified and sythesised the molecule and have demonstrated its efficacy and potency.
The research team have had interest from three major companies to commercialise the research, taking it from the lab and into the marketplace as handcreams, ointments and gels to be used in NHS practice.
Dr Yamni Nigam, Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Studies at Swansea University, says this is a significant milestone for the project.
“We are at the pre-commercialisation stage in the research which is an exciting time for the team at the University. The current work has sought to fully characterise the structure of the antibiotic and undertake its synthesis in the lab in order to develop it more fully as a potential therapeutic drug. The market for this antibiotic is vast and we’re delighted that Swansea University is at the forefront of this cutting edge research.”
For the next stage of the development, which will include a full patent application, the team hopes to receive funding from the Academic Expertise for Business fund.
A shocking 9% of patients in England’s hospitals develop a microbial infection resulting in 300,000 infections every year, costing the NHS up to £1 billion per year in the UK. MRSA was linked to over 1,600 deaths in England and Wales in 2006, C. difficile to even more – over 6,000.
