The growing threat of antibiotic resistant bacterial and fungal pathogens requires new paradigms to address the worldwide risk of “superbugs.” These infectious agents have adapted to acquire resistance, in some cases, to all known antibiotics, opening up the real possibility of devastating epidemics.
Multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens represent an immediate danger to individuals and populations. A number of studies indicate that antimicrobial resistance will cause more deaths worldwide than cancer by 2050.
MDR bacterial infections
The company has identified and produced Orynotides that are highly effective in preclinical models of MDR bacterial infections mediated by pathogens that are resistant to nearly all known antibiotics. A lead Orynotide is being developed for treatment of systemic infections caused by MDR gram-negative bacteria.
MDR fungal infections
Infections cause by fungal pathogens are becoming increasingly resistant to currently available antifungal drugs, of which only three classes exist. Oryn has identified several Orynotides that are effective in treating drug sensitive and drug resistant fungal infections in mouse models. Funded in part by an NIH SBIR Fast-Track award, Oryn is developing a novel approach for treatment of systemic fungal infections for which no effective agent is currently available.
COVID-19
Oryn has launched a randomized, controlled, blinded, dose-escalating Phase 1b/2 clinical trial to evaluate ORTD-1 for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2–related pneumonia (COVID-19).