Biologjia Online

Inhibitex’s core technology may not be initially obvious, but it represents a strong potential advance in the fight against severe bacterial and fungal infection. MSCRAMM proteins, or Microbial Surface Components Recognizing Adhesive Matrix Molecules, are at the heart of Alpharetta, GA-based Inhibitex’s anti-infective efforts and are the foundation of two products in clinical testing. “MSCRAMM technology involves the characterization and identification of surface proteins on pathogenic organisms that allow the adhesion of the organism to host tissues,” explains Joseph M. Patti, Ph.D., Vice President of Preclinical Development and Chief Scientific Officer at Inhibitex. “We generate antibodies against these MSCRAMM proteins to prevent or interfere with the adhesion process, the first step in initiation of the host infection.”