Value Proposition: E. coli is the most common gram-negative organism causing nosocomial bacteremia related infection in elderly patients. The mortality and morbidity associated with E. coli bacteremia is substantial. E. coli sepsis is associated with an estimated 40,000 deaths each year at a cost of two billion dollars in the US alone. JHU inventors have now found novel proteins that are determinants of bacteremia, and upon which vaccines could be developed. At present, there are no vaccines available for preventing E. coli bacteremia. Previously known virulance factors have shown to be a poor platform for vaccine development.
Technical Details:
JHU Inventors have identified based on comparative genomics and comparative genomic hybridization that three E. coli structures contribute to bacteremia, NlpI, Lpp and Antigen 43. These E.coli structures are shown to be highly prevalent in representative E.coli isolates from blood that possess serotypes common in patients with E. coli bacteremia. These proteins were hereto unknown as virulance factors inducing E. coli bacteremia. This technology provides methods for the prevention and treatment of E. coli bacteremia and sepsis. It is envisioned that a vaccine could be developed.
Looking for Partners:
We are looking for commercialization partner to license this technology
