Piperacillin for Targeted Lyme Disease Treatment

Piperacillin for Targeted Lyme Disease Treatment

SHORT DESCRIPTION
For infectious disease clinicians, this piperacillin-based therapeutic approach targets Lyme disease by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis to reduce disease progression.

INVENTORS

• Brandon Jutras*

NU Tech ID: NU 2025-156

IP STATUS

U.S. Patent Pending

DEVELOPMENT STAGE

TRL-3 - Experimental Proof-of-Concept: Demonstrated efficacy in preclinical mice models.

BACKGROUND
Current Lyme disease treatments often rely on broad-spectrum antibiotics such as doxycycline that may produce side effects and inconsistent outcomes. Existing therapies sometimes fail to prevent chronic symptoms and complications, highlighting the need for a more targeted and effective intervention.

ABSTRACT
We present a therapeutic approach using piperacillin to treat Lyme disease. The invention leverages the beta-lactam’s ability to inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis. In preclinical mouse models, the treatment effectively reduced bacterial load at a 100-fold lower dose than the effective dose of the standard treatment doxycycline. These results suggest a promising pathway toward improved Lyme disease management in clinical settings.

APPLICATIONS

• Lyme Disease Treatment: Targeted therapy for patients infected with Borrelia burgdorferi.
• Prophylactic Approach: Preventative therapy after a high-risk exposure to Lyme disease.
• Combination Antibiotic Regimen: Potential use alongside other drugs to enhance treatment outcomes.

ADVANTAGES

• Increases treatment specificity: Focuses the therapeutic effect to reduce off-target exposure.
• Potential to overcome resistance: Utilizes a well-known beta-lactam to target sensitive bacterial strains.
• Accelerates symptom relief: Preclinical data indicate a rapid reduction in bacterial load.
• Cost-effective development: Leverages an established antibiotic with a proven safety profile.

PUBLICATIONS

• Brandon Jutras et al, A high-resolution screen identifies a preexisting beta-lactam that specifically treats Lyme disease in mice, Science Translational Medicine, n.d.

CATEGORY/INDUSTRY PIPELINE
Therapeutics

KEYWORDS
piperacillin, Lyme disease, beta-lactam, antibiotic therapy, targeted treatment, preclinical, mouse model, infectious diseases