New drug to tackle superbug
By Cai Wenjun |
November 9, 2010, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINESE scientists have completed research and development for a new antibiotic which they hope will tackle a superbug that has recently appeared in China.
The developer has applied for a license from the State Food and Drug Administration for the drug, named "Kelimeisu," which was created using genetic engineering technology.
Scientists hope drug-resistant superbug NDM-1, an enzyme called New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase, will not be resistant to the new antibiotic.
Hao Yuyou from the East China University of Science and Technology, a scientist on the project, said yesterday that the team had approached health facilities to obtain samples of NDM-1.
"The strain is difficult to get hold of, but it would provide a meaningful study of the new antibiotic's effects on the superbug," Hao said.
The product, which is taken as a pill, will be manufactured in Shanghai, local science officials said at a preview of the China International Industry Fair, which opens at Shanghai New International Expo Center in the Pudong New Area today.
At this year's fair, the state and Shanghai science authorities have focused on innovation in biotechnology and the adoption and promotion of technologies showcased at the Shanghai World Expo.
"The industry fair highlights new drugs and new medical equipment, illustrating the development of Shanghai's biotechnology sector," said Zheng Zhongmin, an official from Shanghai Science and Technology Commission.
"We selected 18 new drugs and many examples of cutting-edge medical equipment."
Innovations on show include a new WiFi portable intravenous infusion device which allows patients to move freely, but sets off an alarm in dangerous circumstances.
Also on display is a WiFi capsule which is swallowed and then conducts checks on a patient's gastric and intestinal system.
All these technologies are world firsts, and are scheduled to be introduced soon into clinical use.
The new antibiotic is expected to be available on the market next year.
Kelimeisu has similar effects to azithromycin, one of the most widely-used antibiotic on bacterial infection on the respiratory and urinary system.
"Clinical tests at hospitals found the new antibiotic has better effect than azithromycin," Hao said.
NDM-1 was detected in two newborn babies in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and an elderly man from Fujian Province in October.
The superbug was discovered in 2008 in a Swedish patient who had been hospitalized in New Delhi. Deaths were reported in Japan, Belgium and Britain.
The developer has applied for a license from the State Food and Drug Administration for the drug, named "Kelimeisu," which was created using genetic engineering technology.
Scientists hope drug-resistant superbug NDM-1, an enzyme called New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase, will not be resistant to the new antibiotic.
Hao Yuyou from the East China University of Science and Technology, a scientist on the project, said yesterday that the team had approached health facilities to obtain samples of NDM-1.
"The strain is difficult to get hold of, but it would provide a meaningful study of the new antibiotic's effects on the superbug," Hao said.
The product, which is taken as a pill, will be manufactured in Shanghai, local science officials said at a preview of the China International Industry Fair, which opens at Shanghai New International Expo Center in the Pudong New Area today.
At this year's fair, the state and Shanghai science authorities have focused on innovation in biotechnology and the adoption and promotion of technologies showcased at the Shanghai World Expo.
"The industry fair highlights new drugs and new medical equipment, illustrating the development of Shanghai's biotechnology sector," said Zheng Zhongmin, an official from Shanghai Science and Technology Commission.
"We selected 18 new drugs and many examples of cutting-edge medical equipment."
Innovations on show include a new WiFi portable intravenous infusion device which allows patients to move freely, but sets off an alarm in dangerous circumstances.
Also on display is a WiFi capsule which is swallowed and then conducts checks on a patient's gastric and intestinal system.
All these technologies are world firsts, and are scheduled to be introduced soon into clinical use.
The new antibiotic is expected to be available on the market next year.
Kelimeisu has similar effects to azithromycin, one of the most widely-used antibiotic on bacterial infection on the respiratory and urinary system.
"Clinical tests at hospitals found the new antibiotic has better effect than azithromycin," Hao said.
NDM-1 was detected in two newborn babies in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and an elderly man from Fujian Province in October.
The superbug was discovered in 2008 in a Swedish patient who had been hospitalized in New Delhi. Deaths were reported in Japan, Belgium and Britain.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
