Repurposing Farnesol for Combating Drug-Resistant and Persistent Single and Polymicrobial Biofilms

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Drug Discovery
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Biofilm-associated infections pose significant clinical challenges due to drug-resistant and persistent bacteria.
• Current treatments are often limited in efficacy against these complex infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the anti-biofilm properties of farnesol in a novel proprietary formulation.
• To assess its efficacy against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including persister cells and polymicrobial biofilms.
• To determine the safety and effectiveness in a relevant ex vivo infection model.

Main Methods:

• A proprietary emulsion technique was used to formulate farnesol in ethanol.
• Inhibition and disruption of biofilm formation by *Staphylococcus aureus* and *Pseudomonas aeruginosa* were assessed.
• Efficacy against antibiotic-tolerant persister cells and in polymicrobial biofilms was evaluated.
• An ex vivo burned human skin model was used to test prevention and treatment of biofilm infections.

Main Results:

• Farnesol formulation significantly inhibited biofilm formation and disrupted established biofilms for both *S. aureus* and *P. aeruginosa*.
• It effectively killed *S. aureus* persister cells without inducing resistance after multiple passages.
• The formulation demonstrated safety and efficacy in preventing and treating bacterial biofilm infections in an ex vivo human skin model.
• Farnesol demonstrated direct killing and facilitated biofilm detachment.

Conclusions:

• Farnesol in the proprietary formulation is a broad-spectrum anti-biofilm agent with significant clinical potential.
• Its established safety, low cost, and efficacy make it a promising platform for addressing challenging biofilm-related infections.
• The formulation effectively reduces persistent and resistant microbial populations, offering a transformative solution for unmet clinical needs.