Bacteriophages produced by the Russian developer and manufacturer of immunobiological drugs NPO Microgen (100% owned by Natsimbio, part of Rostec Group) have shown effectiveness in the treatment of antibiotic-tesistant surgical infections, the press service of the pharmaceutical holding told GxP News. This was confirmed by the results of a study conducted by the A.V. Vishnevsky National Medical Research Center for Surgery. Experts have concluded that the drug, called Piobacteriophage complex (Piophage), can be recommended for the complex treatment of purulent-necrotic wounds, including in cases of multiple antibiotic resistance or where antibiotics cannot be used.
«The problem of effective treatment of surgical infections remains urgent: pathogens are increasingly becoming resistant to antibiotics. That is why alternative protocols and new treatment strategies are being developed», — explained the representatives of NGO Microgen.
The study involved 70 adult volunteers with purulent-necrotic wounds of various origins. Participants were divided into three groups: the first received monotherapy with Microgen’s bacteriophage drug; the second group combined phage therapy with modern wound cleaning methods; the third group continued with traditional antibacterial therapy.
The results indicated that phage therapy was effective across all groups, with particularly significant results in patients who received phage therapy alongside local negative pressure treatment. All participants administered the bacteriophage advanced to the healing stage more rapidly, and no side effects were reported during the study.
The bacteriophage displayed the greatest activity against primary pathogens associated with surgical infections, such as Staphylococcus and Klebsiella, including strains resistant to multiple antibiotics. The treatment proved effective for patients with chronic diseases, including diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. An additional advantage of bacteriophages is their immunomodulatory properties, which contribute to faster healing of purulent-necrotic wounds.
Surgical infection occurs when pathogenic microbes penetrate the body and the tissues react to the invading microorganisms and the toxins produced by them. This process depends on the state of the body’s defenses, the amount and virulence of the pathogen, as well as the localization of the pathological process. Among surgical infections, purulent diseases of the skin and soft tissues are particularly prevalent.
Phage therapy is used for the prevention and treatment of not only surgical, but also acute intestinal infections such as dysentery, typhoid fever, salmonellosis. They are effective in treating infectious diseases in newborns and children during their first year of life, and in patients of all ages for other conditions affecting various systems, including the ENT, lungs, urogenital conditions, gastroenterocolitis, andintestinal dysbiosis.
Natsimbio is a pharmaceutical holding established by the Rostec State Corporation in 2013, focusing on the development of immunobiological medicines vital for national security. The holding comprises key Russian pharmaceutical companies, including NPO Microgen and FORT biopharmaceutical company, with a total of ten production sites. Natsimbio is involved in developing, as well as the full-cycle production and sale of vaccines and toxoids of the current and future National Calendar of vaccinations, as well as blood products, bacteriophages, allergens, allergoids and other drugs. Its product portfolio includes more than 220 types of drugs.
