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BDM-I – ANTIMICROBIAL BDM-I is a novel compound active against a range of pathogenic micro-organisms including bacteria, fungi and protozoa. The continued rise in antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria such as MRSA has led to significant interest in such compounds. Research work completed in Australia, supplementing earlier Russian studies, has demonstrated the potential value of BDM-I as an antimicrobial, effective against many serious human disease-causing microbes. BDM-I is currently being screened in vitro against a range of disease-causing agents such as gram positive bacteria and human disease-causing fungi, biological weapon agents and other serious human pathogens including schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia. BioDiem is using NIAID’s1 “In Vitro Assessment for Antimicrobial Activity Service”2 to assess BDM-I’s activity in vitro against a range of disease-causing agents including Mycobacterium tuberculosis (tuberculosis), Candida albicans (thrush), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus fumigatus, Staphylococcus epidermis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Clostridium difficile and antibiotic-resistant strains of Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus .
Depending on the results of the above tests and NIAID approval, BioDiem in the future may use NIAID’s Animal Models of Infectious Disease Service3 to further evaluate BDM-I’s activity.
BioDiem has entered into a relationship with the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID). The USAMRIID is undertaking preclinical studies to screen for BDM-I's activity in vitro against a range of disease-causing agents including Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) and Yersinia pestis (plague). Where appropriate the screens may also be undertaken in animal models.
Biodiem has also commenced work with Prof Don McManus of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) to investigate BDM-I in a proof of concept (POC) model against schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia. Schistosomiasis is one of the recognised neglected diseases of the developing world causing significant morbidity. BioDiem will be seeking interested partners to develop BDM-I further for the indications of serious fungal and bacterial diseases. The company will also seek collaboration with drug delivery technology companies to expand the routes of administration for which the product can be developed. Once the in vivo studies on BDM-I are complete BioDiem will approach potential licencees to complete the development work and clinical trials. Because of the increasing levels of antibiotic resistance in the community as well as in hospitals, interest in BDM-I is rising. The target markets of antifungals and antibacterials are both attractive with the market for antifungals estimated to reach US$11.3 billion in 20144 and the market for antibacterials is expected to exceed $100 billion by 20155.
1. NIAID is the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious diseases, an institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
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