Latest news with #antimicrobialresistance
Zawya
23-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
New Study Reveals Widespread Drug Resistance Across 14 African Countries
Results from a newly published study highlight the growing spread of drug resistance across 14 African countries, underscoring the urgent need to strengthen laboratory testing, data systems, and health planning to tackle hard-to-treat infections. The study, known as the Mapping Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use Partnership (MAAP), is the largest of its kind ever conducted in Africa. It was led by a coalition including the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM), One Health Trust, and other regional partners. Researchers reviewed more than 187,000 test results from 205 laboratories, collected between 2016 and 2019 across Burkina Faso, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Drug resistance occurs when bacteria change in ways that make antibiotics—medicines used to treat infections—less effective. This means that common infections become harder to treat, more expensive to manage, and more likely to spread. The study examined bacteria that commonly cause serious illness, such as E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. One of the most concerning findings was that resistance to a powerful group of antibiotics, known as third-generation cephalosporins, was especially high in Ghana and Malawi. In six countries, more than half of the Staphylococcus aureus samples were resistant to methicillin—an antibiotic commonly used in hospitals. In Nigeria and Ghana, resistance levels exceeded 70%. The research also showed that some groups are more likely to have drug-resistant infections. People over the age of 65 were 28 per cent more likely to have resistant infections than younger adults. Patients already admitted to hospitals had a 24 per cent higher risk, likely due to increased exposure to antibiotics. Previous use of antibiotics was also linked to higher resistance. However, the study also revealed serious gaps. Fewer than 2 per cent of health facilities were equipped to test for bacterial infections, and only 12 per cent of drug resistance records were linked to patient information. Without this kind of data, it is more difficult for health officials to understand how and why resistance is spreading. The quality of data varied between countries. Senegal had the strongest systems, while Sierra Leone struggled with data collection. Many laboratories still use handwritten records, and most lack reliable digital systems. Supported by the UK's Fleming Fund and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the study calls on governments to make drug resistance a national priority by investing in better laboratories, routine testing, and stronger digital systems. Without action, the threat of drug resistance could reverse decades of health and development gains. 'For African countries, AMR remains a wicked and complex problem, leaving countries with a million-dollar question: 'Where do we start from?' This study brings to light groundbreaking AMR data for African countries. We must act now—and together—to address AMR,' said Dr Yewande Alimi, the One Health Unit Lead at Africa CDC. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PHASE Scientific Expands INDICAID® Respiratory Portfolio with Exclusive U.S. Launch of Novel FebriDx® Test
FebriDx® is a first-in-class rapid test that differentiates between bacterial and non-bacterial respiratory infections, offering significant potential to address critical unmet needs in patient care by enabling more informed antibiotic use and aiding in the reduction of antimicrobial resistance. Introduction of FebriDx will enhance PHASE Scientific's INDICAID® portfolio and strengthen its leadership in point-of-care respiratory diagnostics. Partnership underscores PHASE Scientific's proven commercial execution in the U.S. market with its extensive nationwide clinical network, building upon its strengths in R&D innovation. GARDEN GROVE, Calif., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PHASE Scientific, a fast-growing biotech company known for its science-driven innovation and commitment to improving healthcare outcomes, today announced that it has entered into an exclusive U.S. distribution agreement with Lumos Diagnostics for FebriDx®, a rapid point-of-care (POC) test that aids in the diagnosis of bacterial acute respiratory infection and differentiation from non-bacterial etiology in approximately 10 minutes using a single drop of blood. With strong product differentiation, FDA 510(k) clearance, and an anticipated CLIA waiver application within the next three months, FebriDx® is poised to transform how clinicians diagnose and manage respiratory infection. FebriDx® will become part of PHASE Scientific's INDICAID® portfolio – a trusted brand for high-quality, accessible rapid diagnostics. The partnership marks a significant milestone in PHASE's commercial expansion in the United States, building upon a nationwide network of urgent care centers, clinics, and healthcare providers and a proven track record of distributing over 100 million INDICAID® tests. "We are thrilled to partner with Lumos, a company that shares our commitment to shaping the future of healthcare through innovation and collaboration, and support them with our scalable go-to-market strength in North America," said Dr. Ricky Chiu, Founder and CEO of PHASE Scientific. "A powerful complement to our INDICAID® respiratory portfolio, FebriDx® is a first-in-class diagnostic that perfectly aligns with our mission to bring fast, actionable diagnostics to the frontlines of care. We are confident this will unlock synergistic opportunities, further advancing our impact on antimicrobial stewardship and clinical decision-making across the U.S. As we continue to expand the INDICAID® brand, we remain dedicated to strengthening our leadership in point-of-care solutions, empowering clinicians, and improving access to high-quality healthcare." Doug Ward, CEO of Lumos Diagnostics, commented, "This distribution agreement reflects a pivotal moment in Lumos' evolution. We look forward to working with the PHASE Scientific team to ensure that FebriDx® secures adoption in the U.S. market, delivering tangible clinical and financial value to the broader healthcare system. This agreement also validates the value of the FebriDx® technology and provides a clear pathway to the U.S. market, which we expect will accelerate rapidly should we receive a grant for CLIA waiver from the FDA. Transforming Respiratory Infection Diagnosis FebriDx® fills this diagnostic gap with a rapid, point-of-care test that uses a unique combination of C-reactive protein (CRP) and Myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA) biomarkers to aid in the diagnosis of bacterial from non-bacterial respiratory infections after 10 minutes. Its lateral flow format requires only a fingerstick blood sample and has been validated in a pivotal clinical study and demonstrated good diagnostic performance that can, in turn, improve diagnostic confidence and antibiotic stewardship decisions. By enabling faster, more informed treatment decisions, FebriDx® supports more targeted care in busy patient settings – currently including urgent and emergency care. A CLIA waiver study is progressing well, with anticipated study completion and application submission expected within the next three months. This would expand access to FebriDx® across a broader range of outpatient environments, representing a market opportunity of approximately US$1.5 billion. Driving Antimicrobial Stewardship FebriDx® plays a critical role in aiding in addressing the global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which continues to strain public health systems and drive avoidable costs. By providing rapid, actionable results at the point of care, FebriDx® helps reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescribing – a key contributor to AMR – and improves clinical workflows by supporting more accurate triage and treatment. Clinical studies have demonstrated that integrating FebriDx® can lead to reduced antibiotic use, lower healthcare costs, and better patient outcomes. Its unique ability to guide appropriate prescribing makes it a valuable tool in everyday patient care. Strengthening U.S. Market Presence This agreement represents a major step in PHASE Scientific's strategy to reinforce its dual strengths in R&D innovation and commercial execution, as well as accelerate its leadership in the U.S. diagnostics market. Known for its proprietary PHASIFY™ technology and innovation pipeline in cancer and infectious disease diagnostics, PHASE Scientific is now demonstrating its scalable go-to-market strength in North America. About PHASE Scientific PHASE Scientific International Limited ("PHASE Scientific") is a fast-growing biotech company with a mission to inspire a new state of health through innovative diagnostics and healthcare solutions. With operations in the U.S., mainland China, and Hong Kong SAR, PHASE delivers novel diagnostic tools and services for cancer and infectious diseases using proprietary technologies, empowering better disease detection, diagnosis, and management. PHASE Scientific's products and services have received certifications from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Union CE, and regulatory agencies in various countries, providing over 100 million testing products and services in more than 30 countries worldwide. PHASE Scientific has recently completed a US$34 million Series A funding round, representing the largest Series A raise in Asia's diagnostic technology sector since 2019. Other supporters include Gates Foundation, and US governmental agencies National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. For more information, please visit About FebriDx® FebriDx® is a unique, rapid point of care test that helps clinicians differentiate between bacterial and non-bacterial acute respiratory infections through a simple fingerstick blood sample after 10 minutes. By aiding clinicians make faster, better decisions at the point-of-care, FebriDx® has the potential to improve patient outcomes, reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions, and lower overall healthcare costs – all while addressing the urgent global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). About Lumos Diagnostics Lumos Diagnostics specializes in rapid and complete point-of-care diagnostic test technology to help healthcare professionals more accurately diagnose and manage medical conditions. Lumos offers customized assay development and manufacturing services for point-of-care tests and proprietary digital reader platforms. Lumos also directly develops, manufactures, and commercializes novel Lumos-branded point-of-care tests that target infectious and inflammatory diseases. For more information visit Media Contact PHASE Scientificpr@ FGS GlobalPhaseSci@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE PHASE Scientific
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Precisio Biotix Therapeutics, Inc. (Precisio) Announces Dosing of a First Patient with ClyO (Staph Lysin) to Treat a Multi Drug-Resistant Prosthetic Joint Infection
DOVER, Del., July 03, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Precisio announced a first-in-man dosing of its staph lysin called ClyO (LYSG101) to a patient with a prosthetic joint infection that had not responded to other treatments. The FDA approved this treatment under a compassionate care IND filed by Mayo Clinic. The patient appears to have tolerated the treatment without any adverse events. It is too early to assess full efficacy, but this is certainly a significant step toward providing additional options to patients, particularly when traditional treatments have failed. Dr. Raymond Schuch, VP, Director of US Operations, notes, "Our sole company focus is the systematic engineering of native lysins and generation of drug-like, optimized and engineered lysins vs. antimicrobial-resistant human pathogens that are associated with high unmet medical needs. Our team possesses unique experience of developing these lysins and transitioning lysins into clinical studies and into patients. To date, our efforts have focused on respiratory, skin, and vaginal infections. We are excited to add prosthetic joint infections to the portfolio of infections we think that we can effectively treat." Mark Engel, Founder and CEO of Precisio said, "We are a platforms plus products company. The key to developing best-in-world lysins is that we use multiple self-developed high-tech proprietary tools. These include tools in bioinformatics, machine-learning, and AI (Zeus™-LysiThru™). We are now at a point where we think we can develop lysin products against many infections including those resistant to standard antibiotics. This patient at Mayo Clinic is the first of what we hope are many examples that we announce in the coming months. Doctors around the globe are anxious to start using our treatments on a compassionate basis since large numbers of patients are not responding to existing treatments." Dr. Assaf Raz, VP of Research and Development noted: "Drug-resistant infections are a pressing global health issue, causing at least 700,000 deaths each year. Without decisive action, this number could rise to 10 million annually by 2050, according to the UN Ad hoc Interagency Coordinating Group on Antimicrobial Resistance. Our research team is dedicated to developing new lysin therapeutics for large areas of need that bypass antibiotic resistance. We are highly encouraged that our technologies allow us to rapidly create effective solutions for multidrug-resistant pathogens, combating resistant infections and improving patient outcomes." Mr. Engel summarizes that, "The engineered lysins we are developing will have a tremendous impact as additional tool for treating and preventing infections. We think that our lysins will be effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Because we are so efficient in developing them, we will be able to produce our lysins in highly stable formulations with low cost-of-goods, thereby making them available to both developed markets and in the LMIC markets. This presents an opportunity to dramatically change health outcomes around the globe. We are now seeking both strategic and financial support to move forward more rapidly. Our team is highly motivated since we know that every day wasted means lives lost." About Lysins: Lysins are members of a promising new class of antimicrobials - direct lytic agents. Unlike traditional antibiotics, lysins actively hydrolyze the bacterial cell wall, causing extremely rapid lysis and cell death. Due to this unique mechanism of action, lysins are targeted to specific pathogens, can effectively degrade biofilms, and are effective against bacteria resistant to traditional antibiotics. Critically, unlike traditional antibiotics, they do not cause bacterial resistance. About Precisio Biotix Therapeutics Inc. ( Precisio is a US clinical stage biotech company creating lower-cost novel precision engineered biological antibacterials, with an initial focus on respiratory, skin, lung, and prosthetic joint infections. Precisio is a platform-plus-product company (Rx and consumer). The Company has additional R&D operations in India, China, and the UK. Management has had multiple previous successful exits and currently seeks strategic partners for all aspects of the business. Recent news includes (1) a grant award from the Gates Foundation for the development of lysins to treat Bacterial Vaginosis and (2) regulatory approval of a topical Lysin in the EU. View source version on Contacts Aileen Shen, Director of Investor Relations, shencj@ or Daniela Wambold, Corporate Partners, dwambold@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Supporters gather in Dudley to back Brooke's global donkey campaign
JOURNALIST and TV presenter Aly Vance joined forces with animal welfare charity Brooke for an event at the Black Country Living Museum. The event, held on June 5 in Dudley, aimed to update supporters on Brooke's ongoing initiatives to help working horses, donkeys and mules. The charity is committed to addressing issues including the donkey skin trade and antimicrobial resistance. Ms Vance said: "It was a real privilege to join Brooke at the Black Country Living Museum and meet so many passionate supporters. "Seeing the historical role of working animals in Britain brought home just how vital Brooke's work is around the world today. "These animals are crucial to the livelihoods of so many communities - they deserve our care and action." In 2024, Brooke, in collaboration with the World Veterinary Association, established the first-ever essential medicines list for livestock to improve antimicrobial resistance. This initiative targets the spread of drug-resistant pathogens in both humans and animals. The event's theme centred around recognising the historical contributions of working horses in industrial Britain and Brooke's persistent efforts to support them in global coal mines and brick kilns. Brooke CEO, Chris Wainwright, said: "Working animals have been the backbone of human progress for centuries, from Britain's industrial past to developing communities around the world today. "Brooke's supporter day at the Black Country Living Museum was a chance to celebrate the incredible dedication of those who stand with us in protecting working animals. "Our supporters are at the heart of everything we do." Brooke is advocating for a worldwide prohibition on the donkey skin trade, which results in the slaughter of approximately six million donkeys yearly for ejiao, a Chinese medicine. Brooke's lobbying contributed to the African Union's decision to impose a continent-wide ban on the skin trade in 2024, safeguarding 32 million donkeys.
Zawya
12-06-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Zimbabwe makes strides in reducing antimicrobial use in poultry with FAO support
Zimbabwe is making significant progress in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) within its poultry sector, thanks to a collaborative effort between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of Zimbabwe. Through a Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) supported project and the Fleming Fund global project, the initiative has successfully reduced the overuse of antimicrobials in the broiler value chain by empowering farmers with sustainable and biosecure poultry production practices. Antimicrobial resistance poses a serious threat to global health, food security, and economic stability. The overuse of antimicrobials in livestock production contributes significantly to this problem, leading to the development of resistant bacteria that can spread to humans, making infections harder to treat. The project, implemented in eight districts – Bubi, Chegutu, Masvingo, Marondera, Murewa, Mutare, Mutasa, and Zvimba – employed the Farmer Field School (FFS) approach to promote improved husbandry practices. This hands-on, participatory method equips farmers with the knowledge and skills to enhance biosecurity, prevent diseases, and ultimately reduce their reliance on antimicrobials. Speaking at a recent project review meeting, Berhanu Bedane, FAO Livestock Development Officer, emphasized the project's impact. "This initiative has demonstrated the value and impact of the One Health approach, where sectors across human and animal health collaborated to address the shared threat of antimicrobial resistance," he stated. He highlighted that FAO's focus was on delivering practical, evidence-based interventions directly to the animal health sector. The FFS model proved instrumental in achieving these goals. By providing farmers with tailored training and communication materials, the project fostered a deeper understanding of disease prevention and the importance of responsible use of antimicrobials. A baseline Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) survey informed the development of these materials, ensuring they were relevant and effective. "The farmer field schools have been empowering poultry farmers through hands-on training in sustainable and biosecure poultry production," Bedane explained. "This enhances poultry productivity while simultaneously reducing the use of antimicrobials through the reduction of infections, making our health more secure and sustainable." He also noted similar initiatives in the dairy value chain aimed at understanding and reducing antimicrobial use through prudent biosecurity and animal health management systems. The Chief Director of the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), Dr Pious Makaya echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the project's alignment with Zimbabwe's national development priorities, as outlined in the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and the broader Vision 2030. "What we have heard today is in sync with the national development imperatives that we have," he said. He specifically highlighted the project's contribution to key national priorities such as health and well-being, food security, and food safety. "Our health would be enhanced and improved, and also the health of the animals as well, the health of the environment as well would also be improved," he stated, adding that enhanced animal health improves livestock production and promotes food safety. The DVS Chief Director recognized the complexity of tackling AMR, describing it as a "wicked problem" requiring multifaceted solutions. "We cannot have one single solution. It is not a linear problem," he emphasized, underscoring the importance of the multi-sectoral approach adopted by the MPTF and Fleming fund projects. He also stressed the need for continuous review and adaptation of strategies to keep pace with the evolving nature of AMR. Looking ahead, both FAO and the Government of Zimbabwe reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining momentum in the fight against AMR. Berhanu Bedane stated that FAO and its partners in the Quadripartite are fully committed to maintaining momentum. He also pointed towards consolidating the achievements realized and identifying clear pathways for continued collaboration in the implementation of Zimbabwe's AMR National Action Plan 2.0. The country is also being considered for a phase two of the MPTF project. The success of this collaborative initiative demonstrates the power of partnerships and the effectiveness of empowering farmers with knowledge and tools to adopt sustainable practices. These achievements also contribute to broader global goals under the RENOFARM initiative (Reduce the Need for Antimicrobials on Farms), which promotes reduced antimicrobial reliance through strengthened biosecurity, preventive animal health strategies, and improved farming practices. By reducing the reliance on antimicrobials in livestock production, Zimbabwe is taking a crucial step toward safeguarding public health, promoting food security, and protecting the environment for future generations. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.
