KILLING THE ’’BAD’’ BACTERIA NO LONGER WORKS

Urinary tract infections are among the most common causes of death and the disease burden of UTI is significant. UTIs affects >150 million adults each year and 5% of children < 12 years old. Urinary tract infections are very common, costly and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Selectimmune AB is pioneering studies of the molecular basis of UTI susceptibility and the consequences for diagnosis and therapy. By dissecting molecular interactions between bacteria and host, it is becoming possible to distinguish defensive from damaging aspects of the host defence and to develop therapies that strengthen the defence while avoiding chronicity and tissue damage.

Antibiotic victims threaten global public healthAcute need for new medicines for infectious diseases

Expected annual deaths caused byantibiotic resistance by 2050

• WHO appoints antibiotic resistance to a massive global threat to public health
• WHO defines a “post-antibiotic”, where common infections once again cause death
• Very high antibiotic resistance in bacteria that cause common infections such as pneumonia, sepsis, urinary tract infections and wound infections
• Few treatment options, even against severe, life-threatening infections.