Telephus Medical Announces Australian Patent For Therapeutic Antibodies To Treat Staphylococcus Aureus Infections

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Telephus Medical LLC (Telephus), a biotechnology company focused on developing immunotherapeutics for antibiotic-resistant staphylococcal infections, today announced that IP Australia, the Australian patent office, has issued Patent No. 2012332777 covering monoclonal antibody compositions that bind and neutralize the endo-ß-N-acetylglucosaminidase (Gmd) subunit of staphylococcal autolysin and methods to use those antibodies to treat severe, life-threatening staph infections, including those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

“We are proud to be developing the first humanized, neutralizing monoclonal antibody to treat patients suffering from severe staphylococcal infections.”

These antibodies represent the first of a series designed by Telephus to fight severe staphylococcal biofilm infections resistant to modern antibiotics. The Gmd enzyme targeted by these antibodies plays a critical role in bacterial cell replication, colonization, immune evasion and biofilm formation, all of which drive the underlying pathology seen in patients suffering from severe infections caused by staphylococcal bacteria.

In animal models of severe implant-associated osteomyelitis biofilm infections similar to those found in some patients with hip or knee replacements, these antibodies have been shown to accelerate bacterial clearance by the immune system, suppress bone loss, reduce abscess formation and inhibit bacterial growth in bone and adjoining muscle tissue proximal to the site of implant infection. These antibodies may be especially important for treating infections in patients who are immunocompromised because of age, trauma, medications, or conditions like diabetes, where host production of antibodies against staphylococcal antigens is likely to be impaired.

This recently issued patent is part of a broader intellectual property portfolio from the University of Rochester (UR), to which Telephus has an exclusive right in the US and major international markets. Developed in the laboratory of Edward M. Schwarz, PhD, the licensed UR portfolio covers patents and applications describing unique therapeutic monoclonal antibody compositions directed against the subunits of bifunctional autolysin from S. aureus and methods to use those antibodies to diagnose, prevent and treat severe, antibiotic-resistant staphylococcal infections. Dr. Schwarz, in addition to being a Professor at the School of Medicine and Dentistry at UR and Director of the university’s Center for Musculoskeletal Research, is also Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Telephus.

“This third patent in our intellectual property estate extends Telephus’ portfolio covering monoclonal antibody compositions and methods targeting antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It also describes the technology on which our initial product, TPH 101, is based,” said Mark Benedyk, PhD, President and CEO of Telephus. “We are proud to be developing the first humanized, neutralizing monoclonal antibody to treat patients suffering from severe staphylococcal infections.”

About Telephus Medical
Telephus Medical, located in San Diego, California, is developing a suite of immunotherapeutic products designed to neutralize key staphylococcal enzymes staph bacteria use to colonize host tissues and evade immune attack. These enzymes, originally identified as virulence factors, play critical roles in biofilm establishment and the resultant pathology seen in patients suffering from staphylococcal infections. Our initial focus is the treatment of antibiotic-resistant periprosthetic joint infections – infections in patients who have received hip or knee replacements. Staphylococcal bacteria represent the vast majority of pathogens in these patients who suffer severe consequences from this type of infection. Diabetes, hyperglycemia and immunosuppressive medication use all are comorbidities which drive this infection rate, and the profound impact it has on mortality, morbidity and cost to the healthcare system. Telephus is dedicated to improving the lives of our patients by developing new therapeutics that harness the power of patients’ own immune systems to fight infection.

Additional information about Telephus can be found at www.telephusmedical.com.