Advancing dual-action, inhalable phage treatments for bronchiectasis-associated Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections

Project title: Engineered Phage Therapeutics (EPTs) to treat P. aeruginosa infections in bronchiectasis patients

Bronchiectasis is a chronic, inflammation-driven lung condition that is worsened by infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, leading to frequent and severe episodes called exacerbations. Treatment involves long courses of antibiotics, but these quickly become ineffective, leading to poor patient outcomes.

PhalconBio’s Engineered Phage Therapeutics (EPTs) are engineered bacteriophages designed for precise targeting and the delivery of antibacterial effector proteins. These advanced bacteriophages not only eliminate harmful bacteria but also reprogram them to produce secondary precision microbials at the infection site. The treatment will be inhalable, keeping the procedure straightforward and familiar for patients.

To date, the company has prioritised wild-type bacteriophages with broad activity against pulmonary P. aeruginosa and is using these as scaffolds for engineering. Its engineering platform has already allowed PhalconBio to identify promising effector genes. With funding and support from PACE, PhalconBio will carry out hit validation assays for their scaffolds and effectors, followed by hit-to-lead studies evaluating EPT combinations, and in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo assessments.

Success for the project will mean the development of a candidate Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) for transition to drug development, within a two-year timeframe. This should lead to a new treatment for chronic pulmonary P. aeruginosa infections. As well as offering enhanced efficacy because of the dual mode of action, the treatment aims to reduce how often exacerbations occur, so patients can eventually stop using antibiotics long-term. This should improve their quality of life and help to combat antibiotic resistance globally.

Company bio:

PhalconBio is a pioneering Swiss biotech startup, leveraging over a decade of academic and industry research on engineered bacteriophages to combat the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. Its innovative phage therapy platform is designed to revolutionise antibacterial treatments by enhancing therapeutic efficacy and minimising drug resistance while providing a highly targeted, species-specific mechanism of action.

PhalconBio’s current focus is on pulmonary infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a major contributor to chronic lung diseases and hospital-acquired pneumonia. But thanks to its adaptable technology platform, PhalconBio is well-positioned to tackle other critical ESKAPEE pathogens and set a new benchmark for precision antibacterial therapies, advancing the fight against multidrug-resistant infections.