Invention Summary:
Due to the rise in bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotics, materials that can administer antimicrobial drugs in a regulated manner more effectively are critically needed. While new antibiotic classes are created and widely used, existing, affordable compounds can be repurposed to treat bacterial infections.
Rutgers researchers have developed and characterized nanoparticles that contain a combination of anthelmintics and copper ions and have tested their bactericidal properties against wild-type S. aureus. They have found that these materials have a ten-fold improvement in bactericidal activity against S. aureus, a common nosocomial pathogen. Loading the anthelmintic into the nanocarrier also improves its solubility while providing a lighter weight packaging since these components are typically delivered via emulsions. Overall, this technology holds the promise for an improved, cost-effective type of antimicrobial agents using existing drugs and addressing the growing concern of antibiotic resistance.
Market Applications:
- Veterinary (wound care or antiparasitic agent)
- Antimicrobial products
Advantages:
- Increased on-the-shelf stability and effectiveness
- Versatility for topical or oral indications
- Can be utilized for antimicrobial and antiparasitic purposes
Intellectual Property & Development Status: Provisional patent application filed, patent pending. Available for licensing and/or research collaboration. Please contact
marketingbd@research.rutgers.edu
Publications:
Ramírez-Hernández, M. et al. (2023) Repurposing Anthelmintics: Rafoxanide- and Copper-Functionalized SBA-15 Carriers against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces. doi: 10.1021/acsami.2c19899.
