Stabilized, Freeze Dried Bacteriophage for use in Austere Environments

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI), in collaboration with the University of Connecticut (UConn) including Dr. Robin Bogner, with expertise in pharmaceutical freeze drying, and Dr. Carolyn Teschke, with expertise in bacteriophage biology, proposes to develop a formulation and process for lyophilization, or freeze drying, of bacteriophages for improved stability to enable bacteriophage treatments in austere environments. During the Phase I program, a preliminary formulation and freeze drying process will be developed and validated against three bacteriophages (one from each of the three families used in bacteriophage therapies). The Phase I program will demonstrate short-term (one month) stability of bacteriophages stored between -20°C and +45°C. The Phase II program will refine the formulation and freeze drying processes for a wider range of target bacteriophages, demonstrate long-term (six month to one year) stability over a similar range of temperatures, and define the phage delivery method. PSI and UConn will also identify a commercialization and technology transfer partner to license the technology to develop bandages or topical medicines to treat wounds. In the Phase III program, PSI and UConn will develop a commercial product and perform animal models to test the efficacy of the stored bacteriophages to treat infection in wounds.