Antibodies*
Our Antibody fragments, such as Fab, scFv (single-chain variable fragments), and nanobodies, represent a cutting-edge breakthrough in biopharmaceutical innovation. These engineered molecules are smaller, more versatile versions of full antibodies, designed to enhance treatment precision and efficacy in complex fields like oncology, ophthalmology and dermatology.
In Ophthalmology, Antibody fragments, particularly Fab fragments, have transformed the treatment of eye diseases. A Fab fragment, targets VEGF to prevent abnormal blood vessel growth in conditions like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy. These fragments are designed for superior penetration into ocular tissues, delivering targeted action with fewer systemic side effects, making them a critical tool in preserving and restoring vision.
In Dermatology, antibody fragments offer targeted solutions for inflammatory skin diseases and cancers. Nanobodies and scFv fragments, due to their small size and high specificity, are being engineered to treat conditions like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. These fragments can be developed for both systemic and topical therapies, offering tailored treatments with reduced adverse effects.
Types of
Antibodies
Our goal: We are at the forefront of antibody fragment discovery and engineering, harnessing these innovations to address the most challenging conditions in ophthalmology and dermatology. Our goal is to deliver next-generation therapies that offer enhanced precision, fewer side effects, and better outcomes for patients worldwide.
Bacteriophages are viruses that can lyse the bacteria they infect. Bacteriophages can be used alone or in combination with other antimicrobials to improve their efficacy. (1)
The technology involves naturally occurring and genetically modified phages combined in a cocktail of lytic bacteriophages to specifically target the bacteria causing the infections, which means that each phage has only a specific host target.
The technology combines bacteriophages mixed as cocktails to broaden their properties resulting in a collectively greater antibacterial spectrum of activity.
In diabetic foot infection, the antibiotic concentrations are frequently sub-therapeutic due to poor vascularization. Topical treatment has the advantages of avoiding systemic adverse effects, providing increased target site concentration, and allowing the use of agents not available for systemic therapy.
What are the Bacteriophages?
Phage therapy is an alternative to antibiotics in the age of multi-drug resistance.
Phages infect and kill bacteria at the site of infection.
A phage will kill a bacterium only if it matches the specific strain.
Bacteria
Staphylococcus
aureus
Bacteria
Pseudomonas
aeruginosa
Bacteria
Acinetobacter
baumannii
What is Phage Therapy?
Phages are viruses that consist of a genome contained within a protein coat that selectively target and kill bacteria (2) .
They target the dangerous microbes without harming human cells, due to how specific they are.
They are the most common biological entities in nature and have been shown to effectively fight and destroy multi-drug resistant bacteria. Namely, when all antibiotics fail, phages still succeed in killing the bacteria and may save a life from an infection.
They are made of proteins that encapsulate a DNA or RNA genome with as few as 4 genes and as many as hundreds, in the top section.
Most phages can be classified as being lytic or temperate. Lytic phages kill a very high proportion of bacterial cells they infect and therefore are suitable for therapeutic consideration.
In order to use phages therapeutically, they should (3):
2
Kill the bacterial
host efficiently
3
Be fully characterized
to exclude side effects
1
Preferably be lytic
Phage therapy can be used successfully, by various routes of administration, to treat a wide range of infections, including chronic wounds, without notable adverse effects.
Phages act independently of antibiotic resistance and some phages are also capable to degrade biofilms, facilitating clearance of biofilm-mediated chronic infection.
Phages are Bacteria’s
Natural Predator
What is Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) or multi-drug resistance?
It is one of the biggest threats to global public health and food security today.
AMR occurs when viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites do not respond to antimicrobial treatments in humans, animals, and plants, thus allowing the survival of the microorganism within the host.
AMR has significant
economic costs.
US$ 1 trillion
additional healthcare costs by 2050
AMR was directly
responsible for
1.27 million
global deaths in 2019
It can affect anyone, of any age, in any country.
The main reasons for the rise of AMR include misuse and overuse of antibiotics in the food industry, animal husbandry, and medicine.
Moreover, some pathogens are intrinsically antibiotic resistant and challenging to treat with currently available agents.
Some bacteria in the human
body are drug resistant
Antibiotics kill bacteria, but
not those resistant to drugs
Resistant bacteria then
have space to multiply
Bacteria can even transfer
their drug resistance to other bacteria
Reference (4)
Nanotechnology is revolutionizing ophthalmic medicine by enabling the development of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems, especially in the form of eye drops. These nanoscale particles, typically ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers, are engineered to improve drug absorption, stability, and targeted delivery, overcoming the natural barriers of the eye.
The nanoparticle of the present disclosure, specifically its unique combination of components, synergistically enhance the delivery and efficacy of the therapeutic agents.
Nanoparticles*
The nanoparticles present several advantages:
Improved drug penetration
Sustained drug release
Increased solubility
Prolonged drug retention time
Reduced toxicity
Improved efficacy
Of utmost importance, the nanoparticle may be used topically, in eyedrops formulation, whitch can effectively treat diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME), thus eliminating the need for invasive intravitreal injections. This represents a major step forward in patient comfort, compliance, and safety.
Our Innovation Focus: By harnessing the power of nanotechnology, we aim to develop advanced, nanoparticle-based eye drops that improve the delivery, effectiveness, and safety of ophthalmic treatments, bringing next-generation solutions to eye care.
Source:
1 - DP Pires (2017). Phage therapy as an alternative or complementary strategy to prevent and control biofilm-related infections.
2 - Matthew J. Young (2023). Phage Therapy for Diabetic Foot Infection: Case Series. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinthera.2023.06.009.
3 - Steffanie A. Strathdee (2022). Phage therapy: From biological mechanisms to future directions. Published by Elsevier Inc. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2022.11.017.
4 - World Health Organization site. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact- sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance . Accessed in 19th February 2024
*Lxbio data on file