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The Magistral Phage

Jean-Paul Pirnay1, Gilbert Verbeken2, Pieter-Jan Ceyssens3

  • 1Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Bruynstraat 1, 1120 Brussel, Belgium. jean-paul.pirnay@mil.be.

Viruses
|February 9, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Bacteriophages (phages), viruses that infect bacteria, offer a solution to antibiotic resistance. Belgium is pioneering a new regulatory framework for phage therapy, focusing on custom-made phage medicines prepared by compounding pharmacies.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Bacteriophages (phages), natural bacterial predators, have historically regulated bacterial populations.
  • The escalating crisis of antibiotic resistance necessitates novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Phage therapy presents a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To address the regulatory challenges hindering the clinical implementation of phage therapy in Western medicine.
  • To introduce Belgium's innovative legal and regulatory framework for phage therapy.
  • To highlight the role of magistral preparation in delivering personalized phage medicines.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing regulatory landscapes for antimicrobial therapies.
  • Analysis of Belgium's newly established legal framework for phage therapy.
  • Description of the magistral preparation process for tailor-made phage medicines.

Main Results:

  • Belgium has implemented a pragmatic framework enabling phage therapy.
  • This framework prioritizes magistral preparation, allowing for customized phage formulations.
  • The approach aims to overcome regulatory hurdles for phage therapy adoption.

Conclusions:

  • Phage therapy, utilizing bacteriophages, offers a viable strategy against antibiotic resistance.
  • Belgium's regulatory model, centered on compounding pharmacies, facilitates access to personalized phage medicines.
  • This framework could serve as a blueprint for other nations seeking to integrate phage therapy into mainstream medicine.
Keywords:
antibioticantimicrobial resistancecompounding pharmacymagistral preparationpersonalized medicinephage therapyregulatory framework

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