AlamX LLC Targeting Bacterial Resistance to Beta-Lactam Antibiotics.Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers TUCSON, Ariz.--(BW HealthWire)--Aug. 14, 2000 Research Corporation Technologies and Southern Methodist University Southern Methodist University, at Dallas, Tex.; United Methodist; coeducational; chartered 1911. The school's facilities include laboratories for electron microscopy and stable isotopes, a museum of paleontology, and a graduate research center. in Dallas have formed a company to further develop new agents that overcome antibiotic-resistant bacteria. RCT RCT Randomized Controlled Trial RCT Regimental Combat Team (infantry regiment with their own artillery, engineers, medical and tanks) RCT Rollercoaster Tycoon RCT Randomized Clinical Trial RCT Rhondda Cynon Taff and SMU SMU Southern Methodist University SMU Solid (Waste) Management Unit SMU Saint Mary's University (Halifax, Nova Scotia; Philippines) SMU Singapore Management University SMU Saint Mary's University of Minnesota founded AlamX LLC (Logical Link Control) See "LANs" under data link protocol. LLC - Logical Link Control (pronounced uh-LAM-ex) on the work of SMU chemistry professor John Buynak, who has created a variety of compounds to help fight beta-lactam-resistant bacteria. Buynak also devised new methods for commercial-scale production of these compounds. Beta-lactams, which include penicillins and cephalosporins Cephalosporins Definition Cephalosporins are medicines that kill bacteria or prevent their growth. Purpose Cephalosporins are used to treat infections in different parts of the body—the ears, nose, throat, lungs, sinuses, and , have been among the most useful of all antibiotics, but overuse and misuse have endangered their effectiveness. Some bacteria strains can now inactivate in·ac·ti·vate v. 1. To render nonfunctional. 2. To make quiescent. in·ac  ti·va whole groups of beta-lactams with the enzyme beta-lactamase, allowing bacterial infection to grow unchecked. Researchers have identified more than 250 different beta-lactamases that fit into four structural classes -- A, B, C and D. To overcome bacterial resistance to beta-lactams, current drugs combine a beta-lactam antibiotic and a beta-lactamase inhibitor. The first such drug, SmithKline Beecham's Augmentin(TM), contains amoxicillin amoxicillin /amox·i·cil·lin/ (ah-mok?si-sil´in) a semisynthetic derivative of ampicillin effective against a broad spectrum of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. a·mox·i·cil·lin n. and clavulanic acid. Most of today's products target mainly the class A enzyme. The AlamX compounds inhibit different, and in some cases, multiple classes of beta-lactamases. Initially, AlamX will match several of the most promising Buynak compounds with existing antibiotics and screen these combinations against a panel of resistant microorganisms. A two-component drug containing an AlamX inhibitor and a beta-lactam antibiotic have the potential to treat a broad spectrum of microorganisms for which no effective therapies currently exist. RCT's Christopher Martin, who manages AlamX, said the market for prescription anti-infective drugs exceeded more than $14 billion in 1998. A product effective against several classes of beta-lactamases could generate annual sales in excess of $1 billion worldwide. Contact Martin at RCT, 520/748-4400, Fax: 520/748-0025, rct2cpm@aol.com. Research Corporation Technologies (http://www.rctech.com) is an independent technology management company that commercializes technologies from universities and other research institutions worldwide. Commercialization vehicles include licensing, alliances and seed funding for promising early-stage technologies. |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion