This National Science Foundation (NSF) Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (CFDA 47.084) award to Phage Refinery LLC aims to develop a rapid and efficient parametric model for predicting the likelihood that a given bacteriophage (phage) will be able to survive sufficiently long in the presence of an active immune system to be effective as a treatment against bacterial infections, particularly multi-drug resistant infections. The $273,652 project seeks to gather physical parameters and in-vivo persistence measures for 400 phages, and analyze the data to create a predictive statistical model that can assess phage persistence without animal testing. This work aims to help accelerate the development of phage-based therapies as an alternative to traditional chemical-based antibiotics, which are becoming increasingly ineffective against resistant infections. The award has a period of performance from September 15, 2024 to August 31, 2025 and includes plans for subawards.
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