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New drug 'can kill MRSA superbug' New drug 'can kill MRSA superbug'
(1 day later)
British scientists are working on a drug which they say can destroy the most virulent strains of superbug MRSA.British scientists are working on a drug which they say can destroy the most virulent strains of superbug MRSA.
Researchers at Brighton-based Destiny Pharma are testing the drug in the hope it can be used in hospitals by 2011. Researchers at Brighton-based Destiny Pharma are testing the bactericidal compound in the hope it can be used in hospitals by 2011.
Official figures show in the last three months of last year there were more than 1,000 cases of MRSA in England.Official figures show in the last three months of last year there were more than 1,000 cases of MRSA in England.
Campaign group MRSA Action cautiously welcomed the new findings and urged the government to provide more funding for research into fighting infections. Campaign group MRSA Action cautiously welcomed the news and called for more funding for research.
The potential is really quite amazing Dr Bill LoveDestiny PharmaThe potential is really quite amazing Dr Bill LoveDestiny Pharma
Pharmaceutical company Destiny Pharma believes its compound - codenamed XF-73 - could be a "breakthrough" in the battle against the hospital superbug. Most antibiotics used to treat hospital bugs such as MRSA are bacteriostatic, meaning they prevent the growth of bacteria.
A study of the new drug, which is applied as a gel into patients' noses, showed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (MRSA) did not develop resistance to the compound despite being exposed to it 55 times. But pharmaceutical company Destiny Pharma says its compound - codenamed XF-73 - kills bacteria.
A study of the drug, which is applied as a gel into patients' noses, showed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (MRSA) did not develop resistance to the compound despite being exposed to it 55 times.
The company's chief executive, Dr Bill Love, told the Independent on Sunday that if the drug passed its clinical trials, it would be a "completely fundamental breakthrough".The company's chief executive, Dr Bill Love, told the Independent on Sunday that if the drug passed its clinical trials, it would be a "completely fundamental breakthrough".
"The potential is really quite amazing," he said."The potential is really quite amazing," he said.
He added that he hoped NHS strategic health authorities would back the drug if it won the approval of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.He added that he hoped NHS strategic health authorities would back the drug if it won the approval of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.
More tests 'needed'More tests 'needed'
The firm presented its findings to the European Congress on Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Barcelona last month.The firm presented its findings to the European Congress on Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Barcelona last month.
The XF-73 compound managed to destroy the five most common strains of MRSA in tests, the company said.The XF-73 compound managed to destroy the five most common strains of MRSA in tests, the company said.
Bacteria have a habit of being able to get round any treatments we develop Derek ButlerMRSA ActionBacteria have a habit of being able to get round any treatments we develop Derek ButlerMRSA Action
Derek Butler, chairman of MRSA Action, said he was interested in "anything in the development of cures or treatment for MRSA" and was hopeful the research would prove beneficial.Derek Butler, chairman of MRSA Action, said he was interested in "anything in the development of cures or treatment for MRSA" and was hopeful the research would prove beneficial.
But he added: "I think more tests need to be done on it. We need to be careful in saying we have beaten the resistance problem.But he added: "I think more tests need to be done on it. We need to be careful in saying we have beaten the resistance problem.
"Bacteria have a habit of being able to get round any treatments we develop.""Bacteria have a habit of being able to get round any treatments we develop."
A Department of Health spokesman said "a close watch" would be maintained on all emerging findings regarding the superbug.A Department of Health spokesman said "a close watch" would be maintained on all emerging findings regarding the superbug.
The latest official figures show recent drops in the number of new MRSA infections seem to have stalled.The latest official figures show recent drops in the number of new MRSA infections seem to have stalled.
Cases in England rose by 0.6% between October and December 2007 to 1,087, the Health Protection Agency said last month.Cases in England rose by 0.6% between October and December 2007 to 1,087, the Health Protection Agency said last month.
It comes after a series of continuous drops in infections since April 2006.It comes after a series of continuous drops in infections since April 2006.
Last September, Prime Minister Gordon Brown ordered all hospitals to deep clean, to tackle the spread of infections, such as MRSA.Last September, Prime Minister Gordon Brown ordered all hospitals to deep clean, to tackle the spread of infections, such as MRSA.
But the Conservatives said the programme was a shambles as not all the money promised to cover the costs of cleaning had materialised.But the Conservatives said the programme was a shambles as not all the money promised to cover the costs of cleaning had materialised.
Cleaning firms said ministers should instead have properly funded day-to-day cleaning.Cleaning firms said ministers should instead have properly funded day-to-day cleaning.