Sorrento is expected to utilise its proprietary antibody library technology to identify fully human antibodies for the neutralisation of Staph-specific signaling peptides that control bacterial virulence. A research group at the Institute has shown that sequestering of these signaling peptides, which are integral components of a bacterial communication process called quorum sensing, results in reduced virulence of MRSA in both cellular and animal models.
The company said that using Scripps Research’s quorum sensing-based technology, Sorrento will seek to identify fully human antibody candidates that disrupt the biological communication processes of MRSA.
Henry Ji, chief scientific officer of Sorrento, said: “We are impressed by the promising animal data presented by our colleagues at Scripps Research and are pleased to collaborate on the development of human vaccines and fully human antibody therapeutics to help address the important public health issue of MRSA infections.
“This discovery program represents a novel approach to fighting MRSA, and we also see interference with quorum sensing as a more general approach to address the serious issue of antibiotic resistance beyond MRSA.”
Kim Janda of Scripps Research, said: “We have published that antibodies targeting the quorum sensing process are protective against MRSA infections in established animal models. Sorrento’s human antibody library will be a critical resource in identifying fully human antibodies that can be developed into clinical therapeutics against MRSA.”