Apollo Hospitals has announced a strategic partnership with Precisio Biotix to support the research and clinical development of lysin-based antimicrobial therapies in India. The initiative is aimed at addressing the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by exploring innovative treatment options for infections that no longer respond effectively to conventional antibiotics.
Under the collaboration, the two organisations will work on translational research, clinical evaluation, and potential integration of lysin-based therapies within Apollo Hospitals’ healthcare network. The partnership is expected to focus on infections associated with antibiotic resistance, including complex and hospital-acquired cases where treatment choices are often limited.
Unlike traditional antibiotics, lysins are enzyme-based precision therapeutics that destroy bacteria by breaking down their cell walls. They are designed to target specific disease-causing bacteria while leaving beneficial microorganisms largely unaffected. Researchers believe this targeted approach may help reduce the emergence of antimicrobial resistance and improve the management of difficult bacterial infections, including those involving biofilms.
Speaking about the collaboration, Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd., said, “Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most urgent and complex challenges facing modern healthcare. At Apollo, we are committed to advancing precision medicine approaches that go beyond conventional therapies. Our collaboration with Precisio Biotix represents a shift towards targeted, biology-led solutions such as lysins, which hold promise in addressing resistant infections while preserving the effectiveness of existing treatments. This is not just a scientific advancement – it is a necessary step towards safeguarding the future of patient care.”
As part of the initiative, Apollo Hospitals and Precisio Biotix plan to jointly develop a white paper examining the role of lysin-based therapies in India’s AMR landscape. The collaboration will also explore compassionate-use and expanded-access clinical programmes, including applications for patients suffering from prosthetic joint infections.
Commenting on the partnership, Mark Engel, Founder & CEO of Precisio Biotix, said, “When it comes to treating difficult antibiotic-resistant patients, Apollo Hospitals has some of the best clinicians in Asia. We cannot think of a better partner than Apollo Hospitals to help advance our science. Our novel lysin products are designed to treat infections in a very different way than chemical antibiotics. Our products work by targeting and rapidly breaking the cell wall of bacteria. Unlike broad-spectrum antibiotics, our lysins specifically kill the identified pathogen – without disturbing the healthy microbiota and causing antibiotic resistance.”
The collaboration reflects increasing efforts within the healthcare sector to develop alternatives to conventional antibiotics as antimicrobial resistance continues to pose a major global health challenge. By combining clinical expertise with emerging biotechnology, Apollo Hospitals and Precisio Biotix aim to advance new therapeutic options that could improve outcomes for patients with difficult-to-treat bacterial infections in India and beyond.
(Logo courtesy: apollohospitals.com)