NDM-1 is a gene that codes for New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1, an enzyme that provides resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics, including carbapenems, cephalosporins, and penicillins. Pathogens carrying this gene typically carry other resistance genes as well, classifying them as superbugs because the infections are extremely hard to treat with commonly used antibiotics.

Preclinical studies provide data about drug safety and efficacy in animals to determine if the drug should proceed to clinical testing in humans. Three important factors to consider when conducting preclinical research are pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology.

Research and development (R&D), as well as manufacturing, are often outsourced from big pharma to smaller contract research organizations (CRO) with more resources and specialized expertise. As the global pharmaceutical market grows, so too does the need for contract service providers. Market research reports indicate a trend toward increasing capital spent on contract services, with a projected annual expenditure of $56.24 billion by 2023 (up $17.04 billion from $39.13 billion in 2018).

Antimicrobial resistance poses an ever-increasing healthcare threat, with pathogens evolving resistance faster than novel therapies are being developed. ESKAPE pathogens are just six of the many bacteria which have acquired the ability to escape the actions of current antibiotics.

CDI often occurs after long-term treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics, which can drastically alter the normal bowel flora and decrease healthy bacterial populations, providing a breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria. The most common treatment for CDI, vancomycin, is also an antibiotic. Using an antibiotic to treat a disease caused by antibiotics is problematic, and recurrence rates for C. diff infections can exceed 60%. As recurrence is usually more difficult to treat than initial infections, there is an unmet medical need for alternative therapeutics. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is one such alternative.

Superbugs, or multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria, are bacteria that cannot be killed using two or more antibiotics. As antimicrobial resistance increases, scientists are looking to other ways of fighting infection. There is growing support for bacteriophages as a promising new therapeutic against super bugs.

Our experienced and knowledgeable staff will help you navigate the preclinical period of your research project from beginning to end. Check out the infographic for what to expect at every step along the way.