Antimicrobial agents are drugs that have saved countless lives since their discovery, but their development and pharmaceutical process is very slow and arduous. Microorganisms are gaining resistance to these antimicrobial agents. This undermines all of the hard work put into their development. This is due to the extreme diversity and genetic flexibility of these microorganisms. This problem is only expected to worsen in the future for 2 reasons: antimicrobial candidates are dwindling, and even with large investments, the new antimicrobial mechanism will be countered with just a few generations of mutations. Therefore, there is an urgent need to supplement or replace the existing antibacterial treatment framework. The countermeasures we must take are clear. Recently, the NIH in the United States proposed a shift to explore alternative therapies to overcome antimicrobial resistance, including bacteriophage therapy and synthetic microbiota. Yonsei University’s diagnostic laboratory, the academic foundation of MicrobiotiX, and the Institute of Bacterial Resistance have conducted a world-class antimicrobial resistance study. During this research, many world-first discoveries were made. The research team then explored innovative ways to overcome antimicrobial resistance and from this discussion MicrobiotiX was founded. The specific method that MicrobiotiX is currently pursuing is through bacteriophage therapy. Through bacteriophages, we want to reset the relationship between humans and antimicrobial resistant bacteria. Through, both Korean and American research teams, we are investigating phages to be used in preclinical and clinical trials. I’ll continue to work hard to push our research forward and I look forward to your support.
Dongeun Yong, CEO