Polymyxin B Trimethoprim Composition for Bacterial Keratitis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for bacterial keratitis, particularly those involving fluoroquinolones, face rising resistance issues and limited efficacy due to slow action and poor ocular tissue penetration, necessitating a more effective antimicrobial composition for rapid and broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms.

Innovation Solution

A topical anti-bacterial composition combining polymyxin B and trimethoprim with either rifampicin or tobramycin, formulated into a pharmaceutical composition for enhanced antimicrobial efficacy, including a weight ratio range of 1:1000 to 1000:1, to treat ocular, otic, nasal, skin, or wound infections, effectively targeting Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and other pathogens.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fourth-generation fluoroquinolones (moxifloxacin or gatifloxacin) are used for broad spectrum activity, then coverage against Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms is improved, but resistance rates increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebroad spectrum activityVSAvoidresistance rates
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two antibiotics with different mechanisms of action (polymyxin B for Gram-negative and trimethoprim for Gram-positive) into a single formulation, achieving broad spectrum coverage while reducing resistance development through synergistic effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite antibiotic formulation containing polymyxin B and trimethoprim in specific ratios, leveraging the complementary strengths of each component to provide broad spectrum activity with reduced resistance compared to single-agent fluoroquinolones

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If trimethoprim-polymyxin B (Polytrim) is used for treatment, then resistance rates remain low, but the treatment is slow acting with limited ocular tissue penetration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance ratesVSAvoidspeed of action
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration ratios of polymyxin B to trimethoprim (specifically 1:1 to 1:10 or 1:20) to enhance the speed of bacterial kill while maintaining the low resistance profile, representing a parameter change from conventional Polytrim formulations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The formulation is designed to achieve rapid initial bactericidal activity to quickly reduce bacterial load before slower-acting components take full effect, addressing the speed limitation while preserving reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If Polytrim is used for ocular infections, then broad coverage is achieved, but potency is limited compared to other ophthalmic antimicrobial agents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebroad coverageVSAvoidpotency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges polymyxin B and trimethoprim in optimized concentrations to achieve synergistic bactericidal activity that exceeds the potency of either agent alone, while maintaining broad Gram-positive and Gram-negative coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The formulation uses higher concentrations of polymyxin B relative to conventional Polytrim (up to 10,000 units/mL compared to typical 5,000-10,000 units/mL) to enhance potency while the synergistic interaction with trimethoprim prevents resistance development

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3500254B1Pharmaceutical composition containing polymyxin b/trimethoprim based therapeutics
Publication Date: 2022.03.23 UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
  • EP3500254B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3500254B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3500254B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

The present invention features an antibacterial composition comprising 1) a composition A comprising polymyxin B and trimethoprim; and 2) an antibiotic agent selected from the group consisting of rifampicin, rifabutin, rifapentine, rifaximin, pefloxacin mesylate, sparfloxacin, sarafloxacin HCl, tobramycin, lomefloxacin, besifloxacin, danofloxacin mesylate, enrofloxacin, nadifloxacin and clinafloxacin, a topical pharmaceutical thereof, and a method of treating bacterial infections using mixtures of 1 and 2.