Asep Medical adopts innovative AI approach to address antibiotic resistance
In a significant announcement at the US Biophysical Society in Philadelphia, Asep Medical Holdings Inc. (CSE: ASEP) (OTCQB: SEPSF) (FSE: JJ8) has shared a breakthrough in the battle against antibiotic resistance and biofilm infections. Dr. Bob Hancock, CEO of Asep Inc., detailed how the company is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to develop new, more effective treatments for these challenging infections, with a focus on enhancing peptides’ activity against biofilms and reducing inflammation. This development represents a crucial step forward in addressing a global health care issue costing approximately $368 billion annually.
Biofilm infections, which account for 65% of all infections, have remained a significant challenge due to their resistance to antibiotics. Asep Medical’s use of neural network AI methods to predict improved peptides from their proprietary stock is a game-changer, potentially replacing current treatments that are often ineffective and expensive. These peptides show promise in various markets, including oral health, wound care, and chronic rhinosinusitis, with the first-generation product being an oral irrigant for biofilm prevention in the oral cavity.
Another remarkable use of AI by Asep Inc. is in the development of the SepsetER blood-based gene expression test, which is on its way to entering 510(k) regulatory approval studies in the USA. This test, developed at the University of British Columbia under Prof. Robert E. W. Hancock’s guidance, uses AI to identify a minimal set of genes that can predict sepsis, a severe condition causing one in five deaths worldwide. The SepsetER test has shown high accuracy in predicting sepsis in ICU and emergency department patients, offering hope for early diagnosis and treatment initiation.
Sepsis, with its complex immune response dynamics, has limited treatment options. Asep Inc.’s CSO, Dr. Evan Haney, emphasizes the importance of AI in simplifying this complexity, allowing for the identification of patient endotypes and enabling precision treatments tailored to specific sepsis types. This approach could revolutionize sepsis treatment, addressing a critical need for faster, more accurate diagnosis and treatment strategies.
Dr. Hancock’s team’s application of AI in discovering antimicrobial peptides offers a promising solution to antibiotic failure. This new class of antibiotics is being developed to combat the increasing issue of multidrug-resistant bacteria and biofilm-associated infections. The AI-driven peptide development process has identified peptides with activities surpassing conventional antibiotics and clinical candidate antimicrobial peptides, showcasing the potential of AI in overcoming some of healthcare’s most pressing challenges.
“We use AI daily as a valuable tool in the battle against antibiotic failure to solve problems that have defied conventional methods. While others are trying to figure out how AI can be best used, we are already using it with amazing success in diagnostics and therapeutics,” said Dr. Evan Haney, Asep’s CSO. This statement underscores Asep Inc.’s commitment to pioneering AI applications in healthcare, aiming to improve treatment outcomes and tackle the global health crisis posed by antibiotic resistance and biofilm infections.
Asep Medical Holdings Inc.’s innovative use of AI in developing treatments for biofilm infections and diagnosing sepsis represents a significant advancement in the fight against antibiotic resistance. By focusing on enhancing peptides’ activity against biofilms and simplifying the complex nature of sepsis for better diagnosis and treatment, Asep Inc. is at the forefront of leveraging technology to address some of the most challenging health issues facing the world today.