Lactobionic Acid Ophthalmic Composition for Bacterial Infections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for ocular bacterial infections face challenges such as resistance development, toxicity issues, and the need for prolonged antibiotic use, which can lead to vision-threatening complications and the emergence of resistant bacteria, particularly in cases like bacterial keratitis and endophthalmitis.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising 4% w/w lactobionic acid or its salt, combined with hyaluronic acid, is developed for topical administration, offering antimicrobial activity with reduced toxicity and minimal risk of resistance induction, suitable for ophthalmic applications and potentially for other forms of delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If broad-spectrum antibiotics are used to treat ocular bacterial infections, then antimicrobial effectiveness is improved, but resistance development and toxicity issues worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantimicrobial effectivenessVSAvoidresistance development and toxicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of the antimicrobial agent from conventional antibiotics to lactobionic acid, which has different mechanisms of action against bacteria. This parameter change allows effective treatment while avoiding the resistance and toxicity problems associated with traditional antibiotics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Lactobionic acid is a naturally occurring substance that can be easily metabolized and eliminated by the body, making it a safe, short-acting alternative to persistent antibiotics. It provides effective treatment without long-term accumulation or resistance development.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Duration of action of moving object

If prolonged antibiotic use is administered, then treatment coverage is improved, but vision-threatening complications and resistance emergence worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment coverage durationVSAvoidvision-threatening complications and resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic administration of lactobionic acid eye drops, leveraging its rapid metabolic clearance to create effective treatment cycles without prolonged exposure. This periodic action maintains therapeutic coverage while minimizing cumulative toxicity and resistance risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Lactobionic acid is naturally metabolized and eliminated by the body's own physiological processes, requiring no complex elimination systems. This self-service characteristic allows for safe prolonged or repeated use without accumulation, addressing both treatment duration and safety concerns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If conventional antibiotic formulations are used, then antimicrobial activity is achieved, but adverse effects and resistance risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantimicrobial activityVSAvoidadverse effects and resistance risks
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts a potentially harmful situation (need for antimicrobial treatment) into a beneficial outcome by using lactobionic acid, a naturally occurring substance. This approach provides the needed antimicrobial effect while eliminating the harmful side effects and resistance risks associated with conventional antibiotics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

Lactobionic acid acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the need for antimicrobial treatment and the desire to avoid antibiotic side effects. It provides the necessary therapeutic action without triggering the harmful responses typically caused by conventional antibiotics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3413871B1Composition for the use in the treatment of bacterial infections
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 SOOFT ITAL SPA
  • EP3413871B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3413871B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3413871B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Composition comprising lactobionic acid, or a salt thereof, or comprising the association of lactobionic acid, or a salt thereof, and hyaluronic acid, or a salt thereof, for the use in the treatment of microbial infections.