Pulmonary administration of antibiotic nano-emulsion to treat gram-negative bacteria infections – PAANIC

Multiple drug resistance (MDR) bacteria that cause pneumonia, such as P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii, and K. pneumoniae are extremely difficult to treat, and resistances to last-resort antibiotics (ATB) such as colistin are increasingly reported. We have lately observed that some terpenes reinforce the efficacy of colistin. Objectives of this project is to propose innovative formulations to increase ATB efficiency, dosage brought to infection site, along with a low toxicity of healthy tissues. To this end, ATB (colistin) and adjuvant (terpene) will be co-encapsulated in lipid nano-emulsions (NEs) droplets, intended to by pulmonary administration by inhalation. The formulations will be screen them based on their efficacy, stability, diffusion in biofilms and mucus to reach infection site. Pharmacokinetics and efficacy of the selected NEs will be examined in preclinical rodent model. This novel approach should increase our therapeutic arsenal towards MDR bacteria.