Dual-Action Engineered Phages
The next generation of antibacterial precision medicine
By 2050, AMR could claim over 50 million lives every year unless we act now.
Despite this critical need, it’s been >35 years since the last new class of antibiotics hit the market. The clock is ticking—it’s time to revitalize the pipeline with innovative, precision-targeted antimicrobial drugs.
A targeted approach to addressing antibiotic resistance
Amid growing global concerns over antibiotic resistance, PhalconBio is advancing the next generation of antibacterial precision medicines. These targeted therapies are designed to revolutionize patient care, offering a sustainable and innovative alternative to traditional antibiotics. PhalconBio's technology platform transforms conventional phage therapy by enhancing its efficacy, reducing the emergence of drug resistance, while maintaining drug specificity. The result: highly effective and safe new medicines that set a new standard in antibacterial treatment.
Phage Technology Breakthrough
Bacteriophages (or phages) are viral predators that specifically infect and kill bacteria, making them a powerful tool for treating bacterial infections. Unlike broad-spectrum antibiotics, phages target specific pathogenic bacterial species, minimizing harm to beneficial bacteria and reducing the risk of disrupting the microbiome. Phages are a safe and promising solution to combat drug-resistant infections. PhalconBio improves and functionalizes phage therapy through targeted Engineered Phage Therapeutics (EPTs).
PhalconBio's Engineered Phage Therapeutics (EPTs)
PhalconBio’s EPTs are genetically enhanced bacteriophages that integrate precision targeting with phage-mediated delivery of antibacterial effector proteins. These engineered phages not only seek out and eliminate pathogenic bacteria but also reprogram them to produce secondary precision antimicrobials directly at the site of infection. This innovative, highly targeted approach mediates a two-pronged attack resulting in:
• improved antibacterial efficacy
• minimized resistance development
• improved biofilm targeting
PhalconBio's proprietary EPT platform technology has been developed in close collaborations with it's partners at ETH Zurich and builds on > 10 years of engineering research.
EPT landmark study published in Nature Communications, 20 July 2023, by PhalconBio Scientists: (link)
Pulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections
PhalconBio's lead program focuses on pulmonary P. aeruginosa infections, which are typically associated with chronic structural lung diseases including bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, primary ciliary dyskinesia as well as acute hospital-acquired or ventilator-associated pneumonia. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a highly adaptable opportunistic pathogen that drives severe infection, including pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and wound infections. Renowned for its intrinsic antibiotic resistance and ability to form biofilms, P. aeruginosa poses a significant challenge in clinical settings, making it a critical target in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.
Our platform technology is adaptable to other ESKAPEE pathogens.
PhalconBio - News
Our mission
Dr. Samuel Kilcher, Co-Founder and General Manager:"At PhalconBio, we pioneer tailored therapies for AMR and beyond. In partnership with leading institutes, and with uncompromising scientific and ethical standards, we aim for durable improvements in patients’ health and quality of life. We pursue our mission with urgency and care, to reach patients as fast as possible."
Sam is a seasoned molecular virologist with over 15 years of experience in academic and industry R&D. His expertise lies in applied phage research, with a particular focus on harnessing cutting-edge phage engineering to enhance patient care and combat the global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis. Before founding PhalconBio, Sam played a pivotal role in developing much of the company’s foundational technology. He honed his skills as a group leader at ETH Zurich and later as Research Director at Micreos Pharmaceuticals, where he advanced innovative phage-based therapeutics.
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
PhalconBio is proud to collaborate with Prof. Loessner and Prof. Harms at ETH Zurich, two renowned leaders in phage microbiology and engineering. Through this partnership, we cement technology leadership in precision-engineered phage therapeutics.
Prof. Martin Loessner is a leading microbiologist in bacteriophage research, particularly in the context of phage therapy and food safety. Based at ETH Zurich, where he heads the Laboratory of Food Microbiology, Prof. Loessner has dedicated his career to understanding the interactions between phages and bacterial pathogens. He has pioneered the development of phage-based technologies for applications in food safety, diagnostics, and therapeutic interventions. His ground-breaking research has contributed to the advancement of phage therapy as a viable alternative to antibiotics. Prof. Loessner’s work is highly regarded for its translational potential, bridging fundamental phage biology with innovative, real-world applications.
Prof. Harms heads the Laboratory of Molecular Phage Biology at ETH Zurich where he studies the biology of bacteriophages and applies this knowledge to improve antimicrobial therapies and to build biotechnology tools for the life science industry. With his extensive expertise in Pseudomonas phage-host interactions, Alexander supports the advancement of PhalconBio's lead program.
Partnerships
Connect with PhalconBio
contact@phalconbio.com
+41 78 619 02 99
PhalconBio GmbH
Zugerstrasse 76
8820 Wädenswil
Switzerland
