EVŌQ Nano's EVQ-218 Tackles Antibiotic Resistance

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently highlighted the urgent need for innovative antibacterial agents to curb severe infections, as many existing treatments are losing their effectiveness due to widespread usage. EVŌQ Nano aims to meet this critical requirement with its groundbreaking nanoparticle, EVQ-218, which has shown efficacy against the top six antibiotic-resistant strains identified by WHO, without inducing resistance.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is considered one of the top ten global public health threats. It occurs when pathogens evolve to withstand existing medicines, leading to more severe illnesses and higher mortality rates. Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO's assistant director-general for antimicrobial resistance, noted that while AMR is worsening, the development of new innovative products is not keeping pace with the threat posed by deadly bacteria. According to a WHO report, the antibacterial agents currently in the clinical pipeline, along with those approved in the past six years, are insufficient to address the rising threat of drug-resistant infections.

EVQ-218 works by disrupting bacterial metabolic processes without triggering AMR. It halts bacterial growth by sequestering sulfur, thus inhibiting metabolic activity within the bacterial cell without damaging cell structures or lysing the cell wall. This mechanism prevents bacterial mutations that contribute to AMR. Unlike nanosilvers with ions that rupture cell walls and activate AMR pathways, EVQ-218's non-ionic nature offers a novel approach to combating bacteria without contributing to the growing AMR crisis.

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, opening possibilities for widespread therapeutic use. Traditional nanosilvers have faced limitations in medical applications due to toxicity risks and limited stability. In vitro studies have shown that EVQ-218 is effective 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 and CR), and Enterobacter spp. (SGCR).

EVŌQ Nano is utilizing EVQ-218 in three core industries:

1. Therapeutic Antimicrobial Solutions: EVŌQ Bio has developed an inhaled therapeutic using EVQ-218 to treat pulmonary bacterial infections in patients with cystic fibrosis. This initiative is in partnership with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The company recently had a successful Pre-Investigational New Drug (pre-IND) meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is advancing toward Phase I clinical trials.

2. Medical Devices: EVŌQ MedTech integrates EVQ-218's antimicrobial capabilities into medical devices to protect against a broad spectrum of contaminants like bacteria and fungi. The team is collaborating with leading catheter manufacturers to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), which affect over 1 million hospital patients annually.

3. Textiles and Surfaces: FUZE Technologies provides antimicrobial technology for the textile, hospitality, fitness, and workspace industries. This technology, approved by the Environmental Protection Agency, is free of chemicals, toxicity, and environmental waste. FUZE is collaborating with notable brands such as Nike, Adidas, the New England Patriots, Marriott, and Hilton.

EVŌQ Nano is a nanoscience company that engineers novel nanoparticles for various industries, including life sciences, materials, and textile sciences. The company's patented, high-volume laser nanofabrication process creates uniform, sub-10 nm nanoparticles with unique surface chemistry. These advancements have significant potential for a wide range of applications.

How to obtain the latest research advancements in the field of biopharmaceuticals?

In the Synapse database, you can keep abreast of the latest research and development advances in drugs, targets, indications, organizations, etc., anywhere and anytime, on a daily or weekly basis. Click on the image below to embark on a brand new journey of drug discovery!