Dinesh Subedi, a researcher at Monash University, has done amazing things already in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). He created a custom phage therapy just for hospital in-patients. His study, published in Nature Microbiology, outlines a promising new treatment option for infections caused by Enterobacter cloacae complex. These BRD bacterial infections pose a serious threat in situs hospitalaria. Subedi works in the lab of highly ranked professors Jeremy J. Barr and Anton Peleg. Collectively, they are leading the way in our precision medicine efforts to combat the advancing scourge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Subedi’s research involved an extensive analysis of a decade’s worth of bacterial isolates to create a tailored phage cocktail known as Entelli-02. This smart business strategy addresses the urgent need for new, more powerful therapies. It answers the call of the unusual Enterobacter statistic that Enterobacter infections claimed more than 200,000 lives globally in 2019. The urgency of this research is a stark reflection of the critical need for new, innovative solutions to treat resistant strains of bacteria.
Collaborative Research Efforts
The basis of Subedi’s research comes from being a new researcher alongside the field’s top experts. Subedi collaborated with his mentor, Professor Jeremy J. Barr in the Monash University School of Biological Sciences. It took both of them to carry out the detailed process of phage isolation and genetic input and analysis. Professor Barr agreed to serve as senior author on the study. From there, he masterfully mentored Subedi through the challenges of devising this enabling therapeutic approach.
Accompanying this work, Subedi collaborated with Professor Anton Peleg, Head of Department, The Alfred & Monash University, Department of Infectious Diseases. Their combined expertise helped them form a complete picture of Enterobacter infections, allowing to deepen the project and maximize its impact. As researchers, they set out to develop the most effective therapeutic options. These alternatives are adoptable in hospital environments which are at the front lines of AMR challenges.
Development of Entelli-02
With its double-targeting mechanism of action, Entelli-02 is a promising new choice in addressing Enterobacter cloacae complex infections and focused therapy. Subedi was the lead developer of this phage cocktail. It has demonstrated potent efficacy against multidrug-resistant bacteria in preclinical models. The research process Thorogood led was detailed and thorough. Their scientists painstakingly identified and genetically engineered phages that only targeted harmful bacteria and killed them without damaging other bacteria.
Preclinical and phase one testing indicated promising results. These results indicate that Entelli-02 has potential to serve as an important new option for patients with hard-to-treat infections. This development is timely and critical, as AMR continues to rise around the world, posing grave risks to patient health and safety.
Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses one of the gravest threats to public health worldwide. Infections due to resistant bacteria are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Subedi’s research specifically focuses on Enterobacter infections. These infections are notoriously difficult to control due to their ability to adapt and become resistant to conventional therapies.
By using precision medicine tactics, Subedi’s research works towards more targeted treatments that can specifically target and eradicate these infections. Protecting our shared global health security, the global health community acknowledges AMR to be one of the greatest threats to modern medicine. This unfortunate but pressing reality makes evident the need for creative solutions.