https://www.thegraphenecouncil.org/blogpost/1501180/367529/ZEN-Graphene-Solutions-Announces-Successful-Testing-of-Its-Graphene-Compound-Against-Antimicrobial-Resistant-Bacteria
ZEN Graphene Solutions a next-gen nanomaterials technology company, is pleased to announce successful testing results of its patent-pending graphene-based compound against four gram-positive and nine gram-negative bacteria with antimicrobial-resistance (AMR), including multidrug-resistant variants like methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Testing was completed under the direction of Dr. Tony Mazzulli, MD, FRCPC, FACP, Microbiologist-in-Chief and Infectious Disease Specialist at University Health Network/Mount Sinai Hospital, following initial breakthrough results demonstrating that the compound is 99.9% effective against viruses, bacteria, and fungi. With the goal of targeting pathogens in humans, the results are even more significant considering the extremely low minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the excellent safety profile established during Nucro-Technics’ seven-day repeated dose study reported in early March.
Dr. Mazzulli, MD, commented: “The test results indicate that ZEN’s Graphene Compound (GC) at very low concentrations is capable of inhibiting a variety of gram-positive and gram-negative antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) aerobic bacteria. These pathogens are associated with a number of difficult-to-treat clinical infections including those involving the respiratory tract, urinary tract, skin and soft tissues, and bacteremia. Based on a previous evaluation of this GC against fully susceptible organisms (i.e., E. coli, S. aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae), the MICs for the AMR strains were comparable, or only a single dilution higher.”
“The relatively low concentrations of this GC required to achieve an antimicrobial effect is also promising. Although one cannot directly compare the MICs of different compounds to determine their relative efficacy, the extremely low concentrations that show an effect are well below the concentration required of commonly used antibiotics to show a similar effect. These GC concentrations are also in keeping with levels that were shown to have an antiviral effect.”
“A novel approach to the use of this GC for treatment of common respiratory tract infections, while minimizing any potential toxicity, is to use it topically. This could have multiple applications, including the following: as an intranasal spray or mixed with normal saline to create a solution for use as a sinus rinse for the treatment of sinusitis and other common upper respiratory tract infections; as a puffer or inhaler for the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia; or, as an ophthalmic solution for the treatment of conjunctivitis or pre-op preparation for ophthalmic surgery. Given its activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and S. aureus, it may also play a role as a topical otic solution for the treatment of Otitis Externa infections, commonly caused by these organisms. This would maximize local concentrations directly at the site of infection and avoid having to administer it systemically (orally or parenterally).”
Greg Fenton, ZEN CEO, commented: “The World Health Organization (WHO) lists AMR as a top 10 global public health threat facing humanity, largely due to the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials. With significant human impact and additional global healthcare expenditures expected to reach US$1.2 trillion annually by 2050 due to AMR, it is clear why the WHO, numerous AMR-focused organizations, and some of the world’s largest and most innovative companies are allocating substantial resources to this cause. To address this global threat, we believe novel, broad-spectrum and antimicrobial agents are needed, and we are demonstrating that nanotechnology and our graphene-based compound can potentially play a key role.”
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