Phage vector platform for applications and SDT

The invention refers to a modular platform for redirection carriers for sonodynamic applications (STDs), based on engineered bacteriophages in various industries. The platform could be applied to personalized medicine and innovative therapies / applications “by design”.

Patent title Modular phage vector platform for sonodynamic therapy
Thematic area Health
Ownership ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITA' DI BOLOGNA
Inventors Matteo Calvaresi, Matteo Di Giosia, Andrea Cantelli, Francesco Starinieri, Edoardo Sarti, Alberto Danielli, Michela Nigro
Protection International
Licensing status Available for development agreements, option, license and other exploitation agreements
Keywords Targeting vector, Bacteriophage, Sonodynamic therapy (SDT), Molecular biotechnology, Nanobiotechnology
Filed on 26 June 2019

Bacteriophages (phages) are ubiquous viruses that infect bacteria while being inactive against eukaryotic cells. Thanks to their characteristics, phages receive increasing attention as a protein platform for the assembly of functional molecules and nanostructured materials.

The invention aims to overcome one of the core drawbacks of the SDT, in relation to the high powers of ultrasound to be put in place to obtain an activation of sensitizers in order to be effective.

The invention consists of a phage vector platform that can be used for the selective SDT of either bacterial or cancer cells. Upon sonodynamic irradiation of the specimen, the vector mediates selective killing of the target cells while increasing SDT efficacy and specificity.

APPLICATIONS

  • Non-invasive and selective antimicrobial therapies;
  • Non-invasive and selective anti tumour therapies; 
  • Applications based on triggerable, focusable, soft and tissue penetrating radiation sources.

ADVANTAGES

  • Modularity of the platform;
  • Possibility to enhance cytotoxic effect;
  • Redirecting affordability thanks to basic molecular techniques;
  • Low cost phage vector production;
  • Very low cytotoxicity of the vector itself.
Page published on: 15 October 2019