AmpliPhi study demonstrates viability of bacteriophages after nebulization

AmpliPhi BioSciences has announced that a study performed in conjunction with the Royal Brompton Hospital and Imperial College, UK showed that a variety of bacteriophages remain viable against P. aeruginosa after nebulization. Three different commercially available nebulizers were used to test four different bacteriophages.

Earlier this year, AmpliPhi announced that it had raised $13 million for development of several products, including AmpliPhage-001, an inhaled bacteriaphage for the treatment of P. aeruginosa lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients.

AmpliPhi CEO Scott Salka commented, “We are encouraged by these promising results, indicating that the biological activity of bacteriophage against P. aeruginosa infection is retained following delivery through nebulization. Demonstrating this proof-of-concept represents an important milestone in our AmpliPhage-001 program, as therapeutic administration through nebulization increases the probability that critical areas of the lung can be directly reached with phages in patients with cystic fibrosis.”

The company says that it plans to begin a clinical program for AmpliPhage-001 in 2016.

Read the AmpliPhi press release.