LXD231
Infections in wounds delay healing and increase the risk of complications such as anti-microbial resistance (AMR), gangrene and can necessitate amputation.
LightOx have developed novel molecules that, when activated by light, generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) that destroy bacteria. We have demonstrated that our lead molecule, LXD231, displays antimicrobial activity against ESKAPE pathogens – the World Health Organisation’s “priority” pathogens that exhibit resistance to antibiotics. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are becoming increasingly prevalent around the world, with the potential to cause ten million deaths per annum by 2050. Bacteria are unable to develop resistance towards ROS generated by LXD231 and, therefore, our treatments can help fight anti-microbial resistance (AMR).
Our Solution
Our treatments look to reduce the number of care appointments required to redress wounds by reducing the bacterial burden, which typically shortens the time for wound closure.
LightOx wound care treatments are light-activated meaning the treatment is difficult for resistance to occur and can be used in conjunction with other antibiotics to accelerate wound closure times.
LightOx wound gels are currently in development with the current focus on formulating the drug API into easy to apply gel formats.
Apply
Apply the gel to the wound area
Drug targets bacterial infections
Drug penetrates & disrupts biofilms
Treat
Specific wavelength light activates within bacteria
Natural mechanism: ROS production leads to bacterial cell death
Dress
Dress wound as normal
Repeated treatment as required
The management of wounds is a “silent epidemic” that is challenging health services worldwide.
In the UK alone the NHS treats around 3.8 million patients with a wound annually, translating to a burden of over £8.3billion, a 48% increase in real terms since 2013
The cost of an unhealed wound (£3,700) was approximately 2.5 times more than that of a wound that healed during the study period (£1,500)
“An increase in wounds in younger patients is likely to be related to an increase in the prevalence of comorbidities in a younger population, as chronic wounds are usually due to comorbidities that affect wound healing, such as patients with diabetes, arterial disease and venous disease” – UK Government response to House of Lords (HL11875)) (House of Lords Hansard, 2021)
LightOx is developing wound-sterilising modalities that:
- Reduces bacterial burden, translating to better healing outcomes..
- Remain effective against multidrug-resistant bacteria.
- Simple to apply and activate.
This will benefit:
- Patients with non-healing chronic wounds.
- Community-care nurses with increasing caseloads from non-healing wounds.
- Health services by reducing wound care spend-per-patient.
- Reduce antibiotic use; limit emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Infection caused by colonising microbes is a major factor that influences the time for the healing of a wound. Untreated infections extend healing times and can spread further necessitating surgery and even amputation.
The increasing prevalence of contributing factors such as diabetes and obesity, and the alarming emergence of anti-microbial resistant bacteria (AMR) means the number of resistant infected wounds is rising in all geographies and age groups.
With the prospect of a world where antibiotics are no longer effective, we urgently need new modalities, treatments and drugs that can lower bioburden in wounds that aid healing and reduce the financial burden faced by healthcare services.
With clinical trials planned in the coming months we look for partners, collaborators and investors to support this work alongside those with an active interest in AMR solutions.
LIGHTOX
Our technologies lie in the design and synthesis of new chemical entities, tailoring molecular properties to the required application.
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LIGHTOX
LightOx has shown positive pre-clinical results and are planning on conducting a Phase I safety trial of LXD191 with partners in the UK.
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