- Botanix Pharmaceuticals (BOT) has begun recruiting 60 volunteers for its phase IIa study that is testing its BTX 1801 nasal ointment
- Botanix will evaluate whether the ointment can eliminate Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from the noses of individuals
- Carrying the bacteria in the nose significantly increases the risk for surgical site infections
- The study is expected to be completed in the final quarter of the year with data available shortly after
- Company shares are trading 3.64 per cent lower for 5.3 cents
Botanix Pharmaceuticals (BOT) has begun the recruitment phase for its BTX 1801 antimicrobial clinical study, which is aiming to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs).
Botanix will evaluate whether the BTX 1801 ointment can safely eradicate Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from individuals who carry the bacteria in their nasal cavity.
Carrying the bacteria in the nose significantly increases the risk for serious infections following surgery. Essentially, patients infect themselves.
Specifically, the trial will involve two formulations of BTX 1801 to decolonise Staph and MRSA from the nose of healthy adults.
“Nasal decolonisation agents like Botanix’s BTX 1801 represent a front-line approach towards reducing the post-surgical infections, improving patient outcomes and reducing the overall economic burden on the healthcare system,” Murdoch University Chair of Public Health and Australia Group on Antimicrobial Resistance Chair Professor Geoffrey Coombs said.
“There’s no doubt that we need better infection prevention measures in surgical settings to combat the growing global development of antibiotic resistance,” he added.
Botanix will recruit 60 healthy volunteers for the study who will undergo treatments twice a day, for five days.
“We are pleased that the situation in WA has improved and the progressive lifting of COVID-19 restrictions has allowed Botanix to initiate its first-in-human study for its antimicrobial platform,” Botanix President and Executive Chairman Vince Ippolito said.
The phase IIa study will be conducted in Western Australia and is expected to be completed in the December quarter, with data to be released shortly after.
Botanix has also continued progressing its application for BTX 1801 to receive U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.
Company shares are trading 3.64 per cent lower for 5.3 cents each at 10:55 am AEST.