Maryland Patent of the Month – January 2023

Synthetic Biologics Inc (DBA Theriva Biologics), an inventor of cutting-edge solutions in the medical field, has come up with a novel approach to protect the gastrointestinal microbiome of individuals undergoing oral antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics are often the go-to solution for preventing the harmful effects of microbes, but they can cause disruptions in the gut microbiome, leading to further disease. The human gut microbiome is a crucial component in human health and is home to over a thousand bacterial species, so it’s important to maintain its ecological balance.

The inventors at Theriva Biologics have developed a pharmaceutical composition that consists of a beta-lactamase which deactivates the oral antibiotic and protects the gut microbiome. Referred to as SYN-004 (ribaxamase), the oral β-lactamase product is formulated for the GI tract delivery and consists of a pellet containing the β-lactamase and various buffers and excipients, coated with FS EUDRAGIT® FS 30 D or EUDRAGIT® S100. The pellet is contained within a capsule, which is also coated with the EUDRAGIT coating, providing a secure manner to prevent β-lactamase leakage during transit and maintain the ecological balance of the gut microbiome. This ensures the antibiotic can still do its thing, fighting what it was prescribed for, while deactivating any antibiotics in the gut. This design is crucial to microbiome protection while minimizing antibiotic disruption.

With the increasing importance of the gut microbiome in human health, it’s crucial to find ways to preserve its ecological balance while still treating infections effectively. Synthetic Biologics’ invention provides a safe and secure way of protecting the gut microbiome from the harmful effects of oral antibiotics while still preserving the beneficial anti-infective effects of these antibiotics.

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