Venus Remedies develops antibiotic for `super bugs', receives US patent

Venus Remedies has received a US patent for its breakthrough antibiotic product for the treatment of a wide range of drug-resistant infections, including those caused by the so-called `super bugs' like carbapenemase-resistant `Metallobetalactamses (MBL)' strains.

The US patent for the drug product `CSE 1034' is a landmark development for initiating the process of commercialisation of this novel drug, which is designed specifically to target growing bacterial resistance mechanisms, the company said in a filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

The innovation is even more significant coming at a time when the medical community the world over, and more particularly in India, is looking for ways to deal with growing problem of antibiotic resistance.

Drug-resistant microbes could well become a threat to human race in the days to come as increasing number of antibiotics are feared losing out in the battle. Emergence of `superbugs' like carbapensemaso-resistant 'Metallobetalactamses' has further complicated the scenario.

Also, there are far fewer new antibiotics in the development pipeline as global drugmakers are focusing more on drug candidates with instant block-buster potential to treat diseases like cancer and metabolic diseases.
 
In view of the urgency, the regulatory agencies around the world are currently fast-tracking the approval process of antibiotic drugs. Even the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has recommended the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) to review drugs designed to target antibiotic resistance as 'orphan drugs' to speed up their marketing approval.

Venus Remedies' unique antibiotic adjuvant entity creates a synergestic effect due to its activity on 'Acquired Multiple Resistance in Gram Negative Entercocci and Rods (AMRINGER)', which stops development and spread of bacterial resistance. Clinical studies on over 1,000 patients have indicated approximately 20-30 per cent reduction in cost of therapy, compared to conventional therapies currently in use, Venus said in its filing.