AVI says Neubiotics block, eliminate bacterial targets

By Elaine Rigoli

Tampa, Fla., Aug. 9 - AVI BioPharma, Inc. said preclinical results from a new class of antisense-based antibiotics, called NeuBiotics, showed that they are specific and effective in blocking the bacterial genetic target; can eliminate targeted bacteria without causing toxicity to human cells; and said NeuBiotics eliminated both E. coli and S. typhimurium infection in cell culture, which demonstrates the broad applicability of the NeuBiotic approach.

"Our antisense approach to developing a new class of antibiotics has enormous potential to treat infections caused by emerging strains of antibiotic-resistant, gram-positive bacteria. Based on these results, we are now in a strong position to develop NeuBiotics for a variety of microbial infections," senior vice president of research and development Patrick L. Iversen said in a news release.

AVI recently announced that it was issued U.S. Patent No. 7,049,431, titled "Antisense Antibacterial Cell Division Composition and Method," providing broad protection for Neugene antisense compounds targeting bacterial cell division and cell cycle genes for the development of this new class of antibiotics.

AVI develops therapeutic products using antisense drugs and is based in Portland, Ore.

© 2015 Prospect News.
All content on this website is protected by copyright law in the U.S. and elsewhere. For the use of the person downloading only.
Redistribution and copying are prohibited by law without written permission in advance from Prospect News.
Redistribution or copying includes e-mailing, printing multiple copies or any other form of reproduction.