Method of identifying a biologically-active composition from a biofilm

Inventors

Berkes, Eva A. • Monsul, Nicholas T. • BOEHM, Frederick T.

Assignees

Quorum Innovations Inc

Abstract

The subject invention provides materials and methods that effectively support innate immunity and/or disperse pathogenic biofilms using readily available, nontoxic, natural substances, while supporting restoration of normal microbiotic homeostasis. In one embodiment, the subject invention provides anti-biofilm compositions comprising one or more probiotic organisms, anti-microbial honey, and other ingredients such as prebiotic compounds, other hive products, green tea derivatives, other plant derivatives, and vitamin D3.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to biologically-active compositions comprising probiotic organisms, viable or non-viable, anti-microbial honey such as manuka honey, including pharmaceutical grade or medical grade honey and Medi-Honey, and optional adjuncts including prebiotic compounds, hive products, green tea derivatives such as EGCG and L-theanine, plant derivatives or extracts, and vitamin D3 or Spirulina. These compositions are described in connection with biofilm-affected tissues and the goal of supporting innate immunity while restoring microbiotic homeostasis.

The disclosed approach emphasizes local delivery to tissues affected by pathogenic biofilms and addresses biofilm-inhibitory mechanisms including disruption of exopolysaccharide and interference with quorum sensing. The document further discusses evaluating anti-biofilm efficacy using concepts such as MBEC and BIC for biofilm inhibitory activity, and it references biofilm-state biomarkers for detection methods.

Within this overall framework, an inhaler device is described as containing a biologically-active composition that is obtained by growing a biofilm cellular mass in a biological growth medium, rendering the biofilm cellular mass non-viable, and combining the non-viable biofilm cellular mass with a carrier appropriate for inhalation. The biofilm cellular mass is characterized as having biological activity, including antimicrobial activity and or anti-inflammatory activity.

Claims Coverage

The provided independent claims cover an inhaler device with an inhalation composition based on non-viable biologically-active biofilm cellular mass and specify the preparation approach using biofilm cellular mass growth followed by non-viability and formulation with an inhalation-appropriate carrier. Across the independent claims, there are two main inventive feature sets.

The claims collectively cover inhaler device compositions that include non-viable biologically-active biofilm cellular mass, including formulations prepared by growing biofilm cellular mass, rendering it non-viable, and combining it with an inhalation-appropriate carrier. The disclosed biological activity is directed to antimicrobial activity and or anti-inflammatory activity.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications