AIT Therapeutics to Present New Data on Nitric Oxide’s Ability to Clear Mycobacterium Lung Infections

AIT Therapeutics will present new research on the use of inhaled nitric oxide in the treatment of Mycobacterium abscessus lung infections at an upcoming conference, the company recently announced.

Data from lab studies and a compassionate use study will be presented at the 3rd Annual World Bronchiectasis Conference July 12-14 at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a naturally occurring gas that plays a significant role in triggering the immune system. In addition to its involvement in several biological processes, when applied directly to the airway, it can attract immune cells and has the potential to clear bacterial, fungal and viral infections.

Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABSC) is a group of multi-drug resistant nontuberculous mycobacteria that cause very aggressive and hard-to-treat lung infections. Patients with underlying lung conditions, such as cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are particularly susceptible to MABSC infections. There are currently no approved treatments against MABSC.

AIT Therapeutics’ new data supports the ability of nitric oxide to fight MABSC lung infections.

In the first poster, titled High-Dose Inhaled Nitric Oxide as a Potential Therapy Against Mycobacterium abscessus Lung Infection in Cystic Fibrosis,” AIT researchers will discuss lab studies showing the antimicrobial activity of nitric oxide on Mycobacterium abscessus.

The second poster, “Treatment of Refractory Mycobacterium abscessus Lung Infection with Inhaled Intermittent Nitric Oxide.” will discuss a study involving a cystic fibrosis patient with a Mycobacterium abscessus infection, who was given nitric oxide under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s compassionate use program. Data shows that inhaled nitric oxide is a viable treatment option, leading to an improvement in the patient’s symptoms.

The posters will be available to view at the conference from 11:45 a.m.-1:20 p.m. and 3:45-5 p.m. July 13.

“The nitric oxide used to treat the cystic fibrosis patient with refractory MABSC came from our proprietary NO generator and delivery system. Our in-vitro data provide valuable confirmation of the direct killing power of NO,” Steven Lisi, chairman and CEO of AIT Therapeutics, said in a press release.

The nitric oxide generator and delivery system developed by AIT Therapeutics is a patented drug-device combination that generates nitric oxide from normal air.

“With our NO generator and delivery system successfully used in a real-world setting, we are well on our way to effectively treat patients in their homes for chronic, severe, refractory bacterial lung infections,” Lisi said.