XF-73 Stops MRSA from Reaching Bloodstream In Burn Wound Study

Destiny Pharma (AIM: DEST), a clinical-stage biotech firm dedicated to developing innovative treatments for life-threatening infections, has announced that new data on its leading drug, Exeporfinium chloride (XF-73), will be presented at the Infection Prevention Society conference in Birmingham, UK, from September 23-25, 2024.

The presentation, titled "Inhibition of MRSA Infection by Exeporfinium Chloride (XF-73) in an In Vivo Burn Wound Model," will showcase significant findings from a study where XF-73 was directly applied to MRSA-infected burn wounds. This study monitored the spread of MRSA to the bloodstream, a critical factor in the onset of sepsis, a life-threatening condition with high mortality rates. The study included a control group receiving a placebo treatment.

Key findings to be presented at the conference include:

A single topical application of 25, 50, or 100 µg of XF-73 resulted in a significant reduction of MRSA infection in burn wound tissue by up to 99.99% compared to the placebo group (p<0.05).

Monitoring the presence of MRSA in the bloodstream via spleen analysis showed a 99.9% reduction in MRSA reaching the bloodstream across all XF-73 dosed groups (each n=8), compared to the placebo group (p<0.05).

In the 50 µg XF-73 treatment group, complete prevention of sepsis was observed as no MRSA bacteria reached the bloodstream.

Globally, an estimated 9 million burn cases occur annually, leading to over 250,000 deaths, with infections accounting for 61% of post-burn fatalities. Sepsis incidence in burn patients ranges from 8% to 42%, with mortality rates from 28% to 65%. Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA, is a prevalent cause of post-burn infections, with a 57.8% prevalence among burn patients.

Dr Bill Love, Chief Scientific Officer Destiny Pharma, commented,  "These results from an in vivo burn wound infection model provide clear evidence that XF-73 can significantly reduce the risk, or even eliminate MRSA from reaching the bloodstream and causing sepsis. It is seen as a significant result for the continued development of our XF-73 dermal product."