PolyMedix, Inc. (OTC BB: PYMX), an emerging biotechnology company focused on developing new therapeutic drugs to treat life-threatening infectious diseases and acute cardiovascular disorders, announced today that new pre-clinical data for its novel, defensin-mimetic antimicrobial compounds was recently presented at two prestigious scientific meetings, including the American Society of Microbiology. The data presented showed activity against oral mucositis and a broad array of pathogens, including malaria, candida, anthrax and foodborne pathogens.
"These data continue to support the breadth and potential of our defensin-mimetic antimicrobial compounds in addressing serious infectious diseases that cause severe human and public health issues," commented Dr. Richard Scott, Vice President of Research at PolyMedix. "The importance of our research is reflected in the high degree of attention it receives from the scientific community. We remain committed to continuing research to further advance these programs and expanding their scope."
PolyMedix presented the following pre-clinical data in poster form at the Annual Society of Microbiology meeting in Louisiana on May 24 and 25:
- Small Nonpeptidic Mimics of Host Defense Proteins as Potential Antimalarial Drugs
Under a grant received from the National Institute of Health (NIH), PolyMedix tested hundreds of its antimicrobial compounds and identified several new compounds that kill the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. These compounds show low cytotoxicity and do not harm human cells, as well as have the possibility for oral activity. - Identification of Novel Host Defense Protein Mimics for Treatment of Oral Candidiasis
Under a grant that PolyMedix received from National Institute of Health (NIH) to support the development of defensin-mimetic antimicrobial compounds for the treatment of oral candidiasis (a fungal infection), PolyMedix has identified several compounds that show cidal activity against Candida albicans. The compounds tested show varied selectivity profiles against human cells and bacteria, indicating that compounds can be identified that are active specifically against bacteria or fungi but do not harm human cells. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of the lead compounds was unaffected by saliva. - Nonpeptidic Mimics of Host Defense Proteins as Antimicrobial Agents for Foodborne Pathogens
PolyMedix continues to test its antimicrobial compounds against the most prevalent foodborne pathogens. The data presented showed that 30 of PolyMedix's compounds are broadly active against at least 6 of the 8 foodborne pathogens tested. In addition, PolyMedix identified 14 highly selective compounds that have antimicrobial activity against Campylobacter jejuni, the leading cause of bacterial foodborne gastroenteritis. The results showed no evidence for the emergence of resistance in serial passage assays with Salmonella enterica versus the PolyMedix compounds.
At a second research conference focused on providing an international forum for the presentation and confidential discussion of frontier research in the biological, chemical, and physical sciences, Dr. Scott presented data on May 18th pertaining to the multiple therapeutic applications for PolyMedix's antimicrobial compounds. PolyMedix has identified compounds with activity in pre-clinical studies against Candida fungal organisms, which cause severe yeast infections of the mouth, and in animal models of anthrax and oral mucositis.
At the same conference, Dr. Doron Greenbaum, Assistant Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Pennsylvania, presented in vitro data showing that PolyMedix's antimicrobial compounds, with their unique mechanism of action, show promising activity as potential therapeutic agents for malaria. The data presented showed that PolyMedix's antimicrobial compounds potently killed the parasite that causes malaria in infected human red blood cells without damaging uninfected red blood cells.
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