The Hyderabad-based Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) has completed phase I trial of a new antibacterial drug. The drug is an antibacterial agent from the Qunolenes group of drugs developed by an Indian pharma company, said MUR Naidu, head, department of clinical pharmacology, NIMS.

Though the sources did not reveal the name of the pharma company, which has developed this drug, but have informed that about 30 human subjects were involved in the trial which was completed in seven months. The drug would soon be administered to patients to test the efficacy of drug in fighting bacterial infections.

The doctors at NIMS claim that the drug can be effective in treating MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infection. The infection can attack any organ of the body and lead to septisemia and if leave untreated, it will result in death. About 40 per cent of patients with these infections don't survive despite treatment with the current available drugs, and are mostly imported.

MRSA is a type of bacterium commonly found on the skin and/or in the noses of healthy people. Although it is usually harmless at these sites, it may occasionally get into the body and cause infections. These infections may be mild (eg. pimples or boils) or serious (infection of the bloodstream, bones or joints).

The treatment of infections due to Staphylococcus aureus was revolutionised in the 1940s by the introduction of the antibiotic penicillin. Most strains of Staphylococcus aureus are found to be now resistant to penicillin. This is because Staphylococcus aureus has 'learnt' to make a substance called ß-lactamase (pronounced beta-lactamase) that degrades penicillin, destroying its antibacterial activity.

Some related antibiotics, such as methicillin and flucloxacillin, are not affected by ß-lactamase and can still be used to treat many infections due to ß-lactamase-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Unfortunately, however, certain strains of Staphylococcus aureus, known as MRSA, have now also become resistant to treatment with methicillin and flucloxacillin.

Experts opine, although other types of antibiotics can still be used to treat infections caused by MRSA, these alternative drugs are usually not available in tablet form and must be administered through a drip inserted into a vein.

The sources said that two more drug companies were interested in carrying out phase-I trials at NIMS, of which one company was coming up with a new vaccine and the other for treatment of cough and cold. In the recent past, NIMS has emerged as one of the key centres for conducting clinical trials in the country and the DCGI has recognized the institute as a competent centre for carrying out phase I trial.