Enzymes that enhance detection and and removal of drug-resistant bacterial pathogens

Our academic group (bryanbergerlab.com) has developed, scaled and is in the process of commercializing enzymes for use as direct antimicrobials against foodborne and medically-relevant pathogens. Our technology targets biofilms, which are a major cause of antimicrobial resistance, as well as the cell wall of bacterial pathogens. In collaboration with the USDA, we have published multiple studies demonstrating effectiveness of the enzymes in multiple, validated use cases as interventions to remove foodborne pathogens, including Salmonella/Pseudomonas removal from liquid whole egg residue and Listeria removal from ready-to-eat (RTE) products. In collaboration with USDA, we have also validated use of the enzymes to enhance detection of Listeria in RTE product, published a manuscript based on this work and developed joint IP. Through collaboration with colleagues at UVA Health, we have demonstrated enzymes are effective in removing biofilm from drug-resistant pathogens including clinical Pseudomonas isolates, and significantly enhance the quality and concentration of nucleic acids recovered from clinical samples for diagnostic testing; both of these collaborative studies are published.

These and other technologies are currently being commercialized by Lytos Technologies (www.lytostech.com), which is a biotech company launched from my academic laboratory that has broad expertise in the biomanufacturing, scale-up, registration and commercialization of biotechnologies for human and planetary health. Working with industry, government and other academic partners, we are developing novel solutions to address challenges in food safety, animal health and human health.