Description:
This invention presents a novel enzymatic strategy to dismantle bacterial biofilms by depleting pyruvate, a key metabolite essential for biofilm stability and persistence. By disrupting this metabolic foundation, the technology enhances antibiotic efficacy, reduces infection recurrence, and offers a targeted, resistance-minimizing approach for medical, dental, and industrial applications.
Background:
Biofilms, structured bacterial communities embedded in a protective matrix, are notoriously resistant to antibiotics and immune clearance, leading to persistent infections in wounds, medical devices, and industrial systems. Current treatments fail to penetrate the biofilm matrix or address the underlying metabolic adaptations that sustain these communities. These limitations result in chronic infections, increased healthcare costs, and reduced treatment effectiveness. There remains a critical need for biofilm-specific solutions that effectively break down biofilm structure without inducing bacterial resistance or harming surrounding tissues or equipment.
Technology Overview:
The invention employs pyruvate-degrading enzymes, primarily pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), to selectively disrupt biofilm metabolism and structure by depleting pyruvate in the biofilm microenvironment. In the presence of cofactors such as CoA, NAD+, and thiamine phosphate, PDH converts pyruvate to acetyl-CoA and NADH, leading to the collapse of biofilm architecture and increased bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics. The enzyme can be encapsulated in biodegradable nanoparticles or formulated into coatings and solutions for controlled release and enhanced stability, enabling diverse delivery formats for medical and industrial use.
Advantages:
• Targets biofilm-specific metabolic pathways for precise disruption of biofilm structure
• Enhances antibiotic effectiveness with up to 5.9-log bacterial load reduction in vivo
• Demonstrates broad-spectrum activity against major biofilm-forming bacteria
• Minimizes risk of resistance by modulating metabolism instead of killing cells directly
• Improves enzyme stability and localized delivery through nanoparticle encapsulation
• Compatible with various formulations, including coatings, dressings, and solutions
• Enables cost-effective recombinant enzyme production for scalable manufacturing
Applications:
• Advanced wound dressings and creams for chronic and burn infections
• Surface coatings for catheters, implants, and indwelling medical devices
• Dental care formulations for plaque and periodontal disease prevention
• Contact lens cleaning and disinfection solutions to prevent biofilm buildup
• Inhalation therapies targeting respiratory biofilms in cystic fibrosis
• Industrial and environmental biofilm control for water and pipeline systems
Intellectual Property Summary:
• United States, 62/679,370, Provisional, filed 6/1/2018, converted, status: Converted
• United States, 16/428,560, Utility Patent, filed 5/31/2019, issued 1/3/2023 as US 11,541,105, status: Patented
Stage of Development:
Prototype
Licensing Status:
This technology is available for licensing.
Licensing Potential:
Strong potential for pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and industrial maintenance providers seeking effective, targeted biofilm disruption technologies that enhance treatment outcomes and reduce resistance risks.
Additional Information:
Information available upon request.
Inventors:
Amber Doiron, Karin Sauer
Alternate NCS Title: Enzyme-Based Technology for Targeted Biofilm Disruption and Infection Control