Chronic infections in humans and animals often persist because bacteria in biofilms are shielded from antimicrobial agents and immune defenses. Biofilms are surface-attached microbial communities, commonly seen as dental plaque or in chronic wounds and ear infections. Conventional antimicrobials penetrate poorly, requiring high doses that can cause tissue damage and resistance development. There is a critical need for non-antibiotic compounds that sensitize biofilm-embedded bacteria to existing treatments, thereby improving therapeutic outcomes for oral and veterinary health.
This technology formulates a “dispersion inducer” (e.g., cis-2-decenoic acid and analogs) that triggers bacteria within a biofilm to disperse and revert to an antibiotic-susceptible planktonic state. Acting as a physiological signal, the inducer functions at nanomolar concentrations across Gram-negative and Gram-positive species, as well as fungi. It may be used alone or in combination with antibiotics, antiseptics, or surfactants, and can be incorporated into oral rinses, gels, varnishes, wound or ear drops, and device-coating or lock solutions. The approach enhances antimicrobial efficacy, reduces treatment toxicity, and operates through a non-antibiotic mechanism that minimizes resistance pressure.
• Broad-spectrum biofilm dispersion across oral and veterinary pathogens at nanomolar concentrations
• Converts tolerant biofilm cells into antibiotic-susceptible planktonic cells
• Synergistically enhances the efficacy of common antibiotics and antiseptics, enabling lower doses
• Non-antibiotic mechanism reduces selection pressure for resistance
• Demonstrated cytocompatibility at effective levels for mucosal and dermal use
• Formulation-ready for liquids, gels, varnishes, films, and chewable/oral-care formats
• US 8,513,305 – Filed 05/14/2008, Patented 08/20/2013
• WO 2008/143889 – PCT/US2008/006171, Nationalized
• US 10,653,140 – Filed 07/18/2013, Patented 05/19/2020
• US 11,452,291 – Filed 05/13/2020, Patented 09/27/2022
• US 17/953,302 – Filed 09/26/2022, Status: Filed
• Brazil PI0811530 – Patented 01/02/2019
• Canada 2,684,150 – Patented 10/04/2016
• China 200880024691.1 – Patented 06/17/2015
• India 6704/CHENP/2009 (288751) – Patented 10/26/2017
• Japan 2010-508415 (JP 5548121) – Patented 05/23/2014
• Germany 112008001301 – Status: Filed
• United Kingdom 0920909.9 (GB 2463181) – Patented 03/27/2013
• US Provisional 61/018,639 – Dental Compositions Containing a Dispersion Inducer, Filed 01/02/2008, Converted
Lab validation and preclinical proof-of-concept demonstrating broad-spectrum dispersion and compatibility for oral and dermal applications.
This technology is available for licensing.
Ideal for pharmaceutical, oral care, and veterinary companies developing next-generation antimicrobial formulations or adjunct therapies to enhance efficacy against biofilm-associated infections.
Preclinical dispersion assay data and formulation compatibility information available upon request.