A novel nanoparticle, EVQ-218, developed by EVŌQ Nano, has been shown to be effective against the WHO’s top six antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria that cause infections that threaten human health, according to a recent announcement from the Salt Lake City-based nanoscience company.
Last month, the World Health Organization (WHO) called for urgent innovation in antibacterial agents to combat serious infections and replace those becoming ineffective due to widespread use.
The WHO report stated: “Overall, antibacterial agents in the clinical pipeline combined with those approved in the last six years are still insufficient to tackle the ever-growing threat of the emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.”
EVŌQ Nano positions its nanoparticle, EVQ-218, as a technology that addresses this issue, according to the company’s CEO, Shaun Rothwell. The company says EVQ-218 has demonstrated effectiveness against the WHO’s top six antibiotic-resistant strains, without triggering resistance.
The WHO has identified antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a top ten global public health threat. AMR develops when pathogens evolve to withstand existing medicines, resulting in more severe illnesses and increased mortality rates.
“Antimicrobial resistance is only getting worse, yet we’re not developing new trailblazing products fast enough to combat the most dangerous and deadly bacteria,” said Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO’s assistant director-general for antimicrobial resistance ad interim.
In vitro studies found EVQ-218 demonstrated efficacy against a range of pathogens, including the top six antibiotic-resistant strains identified by WHO:
- Acinetobacter baumannii, CR
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa, CR
- Escherichia coli, 3GCR
- Klebsiella spp., 3GCR
- Klebsiella spp., CR
- Enterobacter spp., SGCR
According to EVŌQ Nano, EVQ-218’s efficacy in disrupting bacteria’s metabolic processes without triggering AMR is due to EVQ-218’s ability to sequester sulfur to stop bacterial growth. The sequestration of sulfur inhibits metabolic activity within the bacterial cell without compromising cell structures or lysing the cell wall. This blocks activation of bacterial mutations that contribute to AMR. In contrast, nanosilvers with ions rupture cell walls, triggering activation of AMR pathways.
Current EVQ-218 applications in development include:
- An inhaled therapeutic for treating pulmonary bacterial infections linked to cystic fibrosis (via grant from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation).
- Catheters infused with antimicrobial properties to curb healthcare-associated infections.
“EVQ-218 represents the kind of innovation the WHO is calling for in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria,” said Rothwell. “While WHO reports only 12 out of 32 antibiotics in development can be considered innovative, our nanotechnology offers a truly novel approach to eliminating bacteria without contributing to the growing crisis of antimicrobial resistance.” Characterized as a new form of silver, EVQ-218 is the first and only non-ionic silver nanoparticle with effective antimicrobial action devoid of cytotoxicity.2 EVQ-218 opens possibilities for widespread therapeutic use, as the ions in traditional nanosilvers have hindered its medical applications due to toxicity risks and limited stability.
EVŌQ Nano is currently using its lead asset in three industries:
- Advancing Therapeutic Antimicrobial Solutions EVŌQ Bio has developed an inhaled therapeutic using EVQ-218 for the treatment of pulmonary bacterial infections in patients with cystic fibrosis, in partnership with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The company recently completed a successful Pre-Investigational New Drug (pre-IND) meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is confidently advancing toward Phase I clinical trials.
- Arming Medical Devices With Antimicrobial Properties EVŌQ MedTech integrates EVQ-218’s antimicrobial capabilities into medical devices to defend against a broad spectrum of contaminants like bacteria and fungi. The team is collaborating with leading catheter manufacturers with the aim of curbing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), impacting more than one million hospital patients annually.
- Safe, Sustainable Antimicrobial Treatment for Textiles & Surfaces FUZE Technologies serves the textile, hospitality, fitness, and workspace industries. Its antimicrobial technology approved by the Environmental Protection Agency is free of chemicals, toxicity, and environmental waste. FUZE works with some of the world’s most notable brands, including Nike, Adidas, the New England Patriots, Marriott, and Hilton.
In addition to the WHO’s report, the American Chemical Society has characterized EVQ-218 as a new form of silver that disrupts bacteria’s metabolic processes without triggering the activation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) pathways.
EVŌQ Nano is a nanoscience company based in Salt Lake City that engineers novel nanoparticles for the life, materials, and textile science industries. The company’s multi-patented, high-volume laser nano-fabrication process creates uniform, sub-10 nm nanoparticles with distinct surface chemistry. These properties represent a significant advancement in nanoscience with the potential for a wide range of applications.
For more information about EVŌQ Nano, visit evoqnano.com.