Stabilized, Freeze Dried Bacteriophage for use in Austere Environments

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI), in collaboration with the University of Connecticut (UConn) including Dr. Robin Bogner, with expertise in pharmaceutical freeze drying and sustained release for novel pharmaceutical formulations, and Dr. Carolyn Teschke, with expertise in bacteriophage biology, proposes to demonstrate long-term stability of bacteriophages between storage temperatures of -20°C and +45°C and to develop a bandage treatment system that will allow for sustained release of the bacteriophages for 1-3 days. During Phase I, we developed a formulation and process for lyophilization, or freeze drying, of bacteriophages for improved stability to enable bacteriophage treatments in austere environments. The Phase II program will build on this work by developing sterile bandages containing freeze-dried bacteriophages for application is austere environments for use by the DoD and ultimately by the general civilian population. The Phase II program will solve a number of technical challenges that were identified during the Phase I program. These include bacteriophage stability at the extremes of the temperature range of interest and reduced stability of the strain of Myoviridae bacteriophage tested in the Phase I program. The Phase II program will also expand on the Phase I work by additional development of a material system that can be implemented within a bandage to provide sustained release of bacteriophages.