RiboNovix Develops New Anti-Infectives Against Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

Strategic Insights -

As the number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria continues to rise, RiboNovix, Inc. is taking a proactive approach by developing new anti-infectives that are less susceptible to drug resistance. The company has secured an exclusive license from Wayne State University for intellectual property based on Dr. Philip Cunningham's development of a novel genetic system that allows mutational analysis of ribosomal RNA in living cells. This technology has the potential to identify new drug targets and prevent the development of resistance mutations.

Key Takeaways:

  • RiboNovix has secured an exclusive license from Wayne State University for intellectual property based on Dr. Philip Cunningham's development of a novel genetic system that allows mutational analysis of ribosomal RNA in living cells.
  • The company has assembled a team of leading researchers in the field of antibiotic resistance and been awarded a $346,066 phase I SBIR grant by the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
  • RiboNovix' proprietary genetic technology allows the anticipation of the resistance mutations in bacterial targets and the identification of new ribosomal drug targets.
  • The company's anti-infectives may provide alternative therapies for infections resistant to current antibiotics and have longer therapeutic lifetimes in the clinic.
  • Antibiotic resistance is more likely to develop for antibiotics that bind to non-essential nucleotide sites in rRNA, and by targeting essential sites, new anti-infectives will be less susceptible to resistance.

Statistics:

  • The four main bacterial cell functions inhibited by antibiotics are protein synthesis, cell wall biosynthesis, DNA replication, and cell metabolism.
  • About 50% of antibiotics bind to the bacterial ribosome, the site of protein synthesis.
  • The antibiotic market represents the third largest pharmaceutical market at $25 billion in sales per year.
  • RiboNovix has received a $346,066 phase I SBIR grant for research to construct a functional E. coli rRNA mutation library and identify new anti-infective rRNA targets in E. coli.

Sources:

  • Anti-Infectives Week editors, "RiboNovix Develops New Anti-Infectives Against Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria," Anti-Infectives Week, 2004.
  • Wayne State University, "RiboNovix, Inc. Licenses Novel Genetic System for Mutational Analysis of Ribosomal RNA in Living Cells," Wayne State University press release, 2004.
  • RiboNovix, Inc., "Functional Genomics-Based Drug Development Company Focuses on Anti-Infectives," RiboNovix, Inc. press release, 2004.
  • U.S. National Institutes of Health, "Phase I SBIR Grant Awarded to RiboNovix, Inc. for Research on E. coli rRNA Mutation Library," U.S. National Institutes of Health, 2004.