The center for infectious disease research and policy last week published an article which states that the newly identified MCR-1 resistance gene has been detected in 6 more countries and that it could appear alongside other resistance genes making some infections untreatable. This now makes a total of 17 countries that have reported the MCR-1 gene which disables the last-line of defence antibiotic coliston. While most of the reports detail findings in livestock 3 reports involve humans.
Graham G. Lumsden CEO Motif Bio Plc commented on the report saying “Worrying news for bacteria that are resistant to colistin, an antibacterial of last resort.”
Motif Bio Plc (LON:MTFB) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, specialising in the development of novel antibiotics that are designed to be effective against serious and life-threatening infections caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria. Our lead product candidate, iclaprim, is being developed for the treatment of the most common and serious bacterial infections such as acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) and hospital acquired bacterial pneumonia (HABP), including those caused by resistant strains such as MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). Two Phase III ABSSSI clinical trials are on track to be completed in 2017 and if approved, iclaprim could be ready for commercialization in 2018. The Company is in discussions with pharmaceutical companies and universities to build a pipeline of innovative antibiotics targeting Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. For additional information about Motif please visit www.motifbio.com.
