Ace Therapeutics offers comprehensive services for the development of innovative therapies targeting Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a bacterium that infects the stomach and can cause ulcers, gastritis, and even stomach cancer. We leverage our expertise in drug discovery, formulation development, and preclinical evaluation to support the development of novel anti-H. pylori agents.
Introduction to H. pylori Therapy
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a gram-negative bacterium that infects the stomach lining, leading to chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and an increased risk of gastric cancer. The primary treatment for H. pylori infection involves a combination of drugs, commonly known as triple or quadruple therapy. Triple therapy includes a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) combined with two antibiotics. Quadruple therapy adds a bismuth compound to the regimen to enhance efficacy especially in cases of antibiotic resistance. Despite the effectiveness of these treatments, challenges such as antibiotic resistance require continued research into alternative therapies.
Figure 1. Therapeutic regimens against H. pylori infection. (Huang T.T., et al., 2024)
Types of H. pylori Therapies We Can Develop
Small Molecule Antimicrobials
We provide expertise in the identification and development of novel small molecule drugs that target essential pathways in H. pylori, aiming to eradicate the bacteria effectively while minimizing the development of drug resistance.
Antimicrobial Peptides
We provide services for the development of naturally occurring and synthetic antimicrobial peptides with potent activity against H. pylori. Our expertise includes peptide optimization and preclinical efficacy studies.
Probiotic Therapy
We offer services to explore the potential of beneficial bacteria (probiotics) to modulate the gut microbiome and suppress H. pylori colonization. Our expertise includes probiotic strain selection, formulation development, and preclinical efficacy studies to assess the impact on H. pylori infection.
Vaccines
We help researchers develop vaccines that stimulate the immune system to target H. pylori antigens to prevent infection or reduce disease severity. Our services include antigen identification, vaccine formulation development, and preclinical efficacy studies in animal models.
Phage Therapy
We have expertise in exploring the use of bacteriophages, which specifically infect bacteria to target and destroy H. pylori. Our services include phage isolation and characterization, phage cocktail development, and preclinical efficacy studies to assess their potential as an alternative to antibiotics.
What Can We Do for the Development of H. pylori Therapies?
In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity
In Vivo Evaluation
We conduct in vitro experiments to assess the antimicrobial activity of potential H. pylori therapies.
- Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) Assays: Determine the lowest concentration of the therapeutic agent that inhibits bacterial growth.
- Time-Kill Assays: Assess the rate of bacterial killing by the therapeutic agent over time.
- Disk Diffusion Assays: Evaluate the zone of inhibition around a disk containing the therapeutic agent.
- Serial Passage Experiments: Evaluate the potential for H. pylori to develop resistance to the therapeutic agent.
- Genetic Analysis: Identify mutations in H. pylori genes that confer resistance to the therapeutic agent.
We utilize animal models of H. pylori infection to assess the efficacy of the therapeutic agent in vivo.
- Therapeutic Administration: We administer the therapeutic agent via different routes, including oral, gastric, or intraperitoneal injection, depending on the specific study design and model.
- Bacterial Load Assays: Quantify the reduction of H. pylori colonization in the stomach.
- Histological Analysis: Assess the extent of gastric inflammation and ulceration.
- Safety Assessment: Evaluate potential toxic effects on the host animal.
- Immune Response Analysis: Evaluate the immune response of the host to the therapeutic agent.
With a deep understanding of the pathogenesis of H. pylori and its impact on human health, Ace Therapeutics offers comprehensive and specialized services for the development of therapies targeting Helicobacter pylori. Contact us today to discuss how our services can accelerate your development program.
References
- Huang T.T., et al. Novel therapeutic regimens against Helicobacter pylori: an updated systematic review. Front Microbiol. 2024, 15:1418129.
- Choi I.J., et al. Helicobacter pylori therapy for the prevention of metachronous gastric cancer. N Engl J Med. 2018, 378(12):1085-1095.
Related Services
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