Licensing opportunity
Scientists at St Andrews University, Scotland, have developed a bactericide composed of a combination of a cationic peptide with a bacterially-produced endopeptidase, which causes the specific inhibition of both methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and its methicillin-sensitive counterpart.
The researchers say the combination of the two components is synergistic, meaning that far smaller quantities of the two components are required than if they were used separately.
But the two components have different mechanisms of action, and it is therefore expected that the combination will make it difficult for bacteria to develop resistance.
The combination product could be impregnated into wound dressings, or used as a coating on medical devices or surgical instruments. It could also be used to spray or dip contact surfaces and medical or surgical instruments.
The university would welcome enquiries from commercial parties interested in entering into a licensing arrangement.
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