Precisio Biotix secures additional funding for bacterial vaginosis treatment

Precisio Biotix Therapeutics has secured Gates Foundation funding to advance an experimental bacterial vaginosis treatment through preclinical development.

The US biotechnology company is developing a targeted antimicrobial designed to eliminate bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV), including antibiotic-resistant strains, while preserving beneficial vaginal bacteria.

The funding will support further development of engineered lysins, proteins designed to destroy specific bacteria, ahead of potential clinical testing.

Mark Engel, chief executive of Precisio, said: “Precisio’s engineered lysins are targeted proteins designed to rapidly destroy specific harmful bacteria.

“Unlike conventional antibiotics, they are designed to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria and bacteria within biofilms while minimising disruption of beneficial bacteria.

“BV affects women around the world, yet for many women treatment becomes a frustrating cycle of antibiotics followed by recurrence.

“Our goal is to break that cycle by eliminating the harmful bacteria that drive BV while creating an opportunity for a healthy vaginal microbiome to recover and remain stable.”

BV affects an estimated 23 to 29 per cent of women of reproductive age worldwide and recurs in 50 to 80 per cent of women following antibiotic treatment, according to figures cited by the company.

The condition occurs when harmful bacteria displace beneficial bacteria that help maintain vaginal health.

Bacteria associated with BV, particularly Gardnerella, can form protective layers called biofilms, making them harder to eliminate with antibiotics.

Conventional treatments may fail to remove bacteria within these biofilms. Antibiotic resistance and the disruption of beneficial bacteria can also complicate treatment.

Untreated BV is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, increased susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections and other reproductive health complications.

Precisio’s engineered lysins are intended to target harmful bacteria, including those within biofilms, while preserving the vaginal microbiome, the community of microorganisms that naturally help maintain vaginal health.

The company uses its Zeus-LysiThru platform to optimise these proteins for potency, stability and activity against difficult-to-treat biofilms.

However, the treatment remains in preclinical development, and its safety and effectiveness in patients have not yet been established.

The latest funding builds on previous Gates Foundation-supported research that identified engineered lysins with strong activity against Gardnerella, a major bacterial driver of BV.

Dr Mya Thandar, vice president of discovery, said: “We are developing a targeted antimicrobial designed around the biology of BV – to attack the harmful bacteria and their biofilms while preserving the beneficial bacteria needed for vaginal health.

“With the help of Gates Foundation, we are one step closer to bringing our treatment to millions of women worldwide.”