Micreos, a Dutch biotech company, presented data on the potential use of endolysins as an alternative to antibiotics at the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM) Medical Innovations Spring Summit. The concept is based on a treatment inspired by naturally occurring viruses (phages) that attack bacteria using enzymes called endolysins.

Data presented showed that Staphefekt™ (an endolysin) kills Staphylococcus aureus - including MRSA - without inducing bacterial resistance1. Staphefekt™ is specific to its target species, leaving beneficial bacteria unharmed. This makes it suitable for longer-term 'maintenance therapy', as it can be used in the early stages of the colonisation-infection continuum in certain patient populations, for example in S. aureus-related skin conditions, such as eczema, acne and rosacea. Data presented showed reduced symptoms of inflammation in these conditions2. Staphefekt™ is the first endolysin available for human use.

At a time when the Department of Health is prioritising the fight against antimicrobial resistance, stressing that there are few public health issues of greater importance3, Mark Offerhaus (CEO) and Bjorn Herpers (Clinical Microbiologist and Medical Advisor) of Micreos discussed the concept of the colonisation-infection continuum and how endolysin technology can combat pathogenic bacteria before colonisation leads to infection, enabling a novel approach to anti-bacterial therapy.

Mark Offerhaus said: "Endolysin technology enables us to deal with the bacteria around us in a completely different way, preserving beneficial species, and the biodiversity of the bacteria on our skin. This is necessary, and it represents a paradigm shift, allowing for prophylactic and maintenance treatment of bacterial skin diseases at an early stage, alleviating pressure on antibiotics in these indications and preserving antibiotics for when we really need them."

Dr Bjorn Herpers said: "The results demonstrate the potential this technology has for effective action in the earlier stages of the colonisation - infection continuum. The UK Five-Year Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy 2013 to 2018 outlines the need for new strategies for the treatment of bacterial infections, and this could be one of the answers." Products containing Staphefekt for skin-conditions with an infectious component are sold under the Gladskin brand. Staphefekt XDR.300 against S. aureus and MRSA is available for research purposes for free.

For a video illustrating how endolysins work, see: https://www.staphefekt.com/en/