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Bacteriophage as an antibacterial agent: a patent perspective
Prachitee Pathak-Vaidya1, Surbhi Sharma1, Manasi Telang1
1CSIR Unit for Research & Development of Information Products 'Tapovan' S. no. 113 & 114, NCL Estate Pashan Road, Pune-411008, Maharashtra, India.
Future Microbiology
|November 10, 2021
Summary
Bacteriophages show promise as antimicrobial agents to combat antibiotic resistance. Patent activity covers diverse applications, including healthcare and food safety, indicating growing interest in phage therapy.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology and Biotechnology
- Patent Law and Intellectual Property
Background:
- Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health crisis, necessitating alternative antimicrobial strategies.
- Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that infect bacteria and represent a potential solution to antibiotic resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the patent landscape of bacteriophages as antimicrobial agents.
- To explore the industrial applications and patenting trends of phage therapy.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of patent literature concerning bacteriophages and their applications.
- Identification of patent claims related to phage, phage formulations, proteins, and production methods.
- Assessment of patenting activity against WHO-critical antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens.
Main Results:
- Significant patenting activity exists for bacteriophages across various sectors, including healthcare, food safety, and agriculture.
- Patents cover diverse aspects, from phage entities and formulations to production and therapeutic use.
- All WHO-critical antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens are subjects of patenting activity.
Conclusions:
- Bacteriophage-based therapies are gaining traction, as evidenced by extensive patenting.
- Overcoming regulatory hurdles and conducting focused research are crucial for the clinical adoption of phage therapy.
- Phage therapy offers a viable alternative to antibiotics for combating resistant bacterial infections.
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