Destiny Pharma (DEST) , a clinical stage biotechnology company, announced that new data on its lead asset XF-73 (exeporfinium chloride), has been accepted for presentation at the Infection Prevention Society conference on September 23-25, 2024 in Birmingham, UK. The title of the presentation is 'Inhibition of MRSA Infection by Exeporfinium Chloride (XF-73) in an In Vivo Burn Wound Model.'
The new data was generated from a study in which XF-73 was applied directly onto an MRSA-infected burn wound with subsequent monitoring of the spread of the MRSA into the bloodstream. Following a single topical application of XF-73, MRSA infection within the wound tissue was reduced by up to 99.99% compared to the placebo treatment. Similarly, the number of MRSA reaching the bloodstream was reduced by 99.9%.
When methicillin-resistant S. aureus bacteria such as MRSA enter the bloodstream, it can cause a life-threatening infection condition called sepsis, which has a high mortality rate.
XF-73 has rapid and potent bactericidal properties with a low propensity for creating bacterial resistance. XF-73 Nasal recently completed a Phase 2 clinical study as an intranasal gel for decolonisation of S. aureus, (including MRSA), to prevent post-surgical infections.
Dr Bill Love, Chief Scientific Officer of Destiny Pharma, commenting: "These results from an in vivo burn wound infection model provide clear evidence that XF-73 can significantly reduce the risk, or even eliminate MRSA from reaching the bloodstream and causing sepsis. It is seen as a significant result for the continued development of our XF-73 dermal product."
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More good news from Destiny Pharma as its lead asset XF-73 was further validated through a clinical study where topical application on a burn wound reduced the number of MRSA bacteria by 99.9%. MRSA is responsible for a life-threatening condition called sepsis, which affects a significant percentage of burn victims. The results will be presented at the Infection Prevention Society conference to be held in September 2024 in Birmingham, UK.
Burn injuries contribute to an est. 250,000 fatalities per year globally, with infections identified as the cause of 61% of post-burn deaths. The incidence of sepsis in burn patients ranges from 8-24%, with related mortality from 28-65%. S. aureus, (including MRSA) is a common cause of post-burn infection as patients with burns had a prevalence of S. aureus of 57.8%.
Therefore, there is a significant unmet clinical need for an effective treatment against MRSA. In studies published in 2023, XF-73 was potent against all 840 MRSA strains collected from infected patients from 33 countries worldwide, and was shown to be up to 1000x more efficacious than nasal mupirocin, the most commonly used nasal antibiotic.
Another XF-73 variant is XF-73 Nasal, DEST's lead candidate for the prevention of post-surgical infections. XF-73 Nasal has now completed Phase 2b clinical trials and shown to be highly effective in decolonising S. aureus, (including MRSA). Additional benefits of the drug include a short 24 hour pre-surgical dosing regimen, rapidity of S. aureus nasal decolonisation, remote likelihood of resistance emergence, and the duration of effect.
These features provide a good fit with clinical practice. Phase 3 studies are being planned to evaluate and gain regulatory approval for the asset. Surgical site infections are serious life-threatening complications and a strain on healthcare systems, costing approx. US$10bn a year in the US alone. Market analysis on XF-73 Nasal has shown a potential worldwide market of US$2bn.
DEST shares jumped 18% on today's announcement.
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