As the world prepares for a myriad of drug-resistant bacteria following decades of over-prescribing and improper use of antibiotics, Recce Pharmaceuticals (ASX: RCE) has reported encouraging clinical results in response to multi drug resistant bacterial sinusitis infection.

Following on from promising results observed in animal studies, a 59-year-old male was treated with the compound R327 via nasal passage. The patient reported a significant reduction in symptoms. Subsequent blood samples showed no detectable signs of the infective bacteria.

The drug is not yet approved for use and was administered under the Therapeutic Goods Association’s Special Access Scheme. The scheme allows certain practitioners to administer treatment of single patients with unapproved drugs under certain conditions. While this does not constitute a clinical trial the results are indicative of the compound’s efficacy, and shows promise for the broader application of Recce’s anti infective compound in other diseases. This is especially important considering the increasing prevalence of drug resistant bacterial infections.

Chief Executive Officer of Recce Pharmaceuticals, James Graham is “thrilled by this positive indication for this patient with a terribly, debilitating condition that has been driven over many years by this recalcitrant pathogen.”

Recce Pharmaceuticals is leading the development of a new class of synthetic anti-infectives against both bacterial and viral pathogens. Their mission is to tackle drug resistance in emerging and existing diseases.

Antimicrobial resistance is not only an urgent health concern, but an economic one too. One UK report forecast that antimicrobial resistance will incur a global cost of USD$100 trillion and 10 million extra deaths by 2050, if resistance continues to rise.

The problem requires a review of the traditional antibiotic and anti-infective drugs commonly used. Recce is playing a vital role in hitting refresh on these drugs and working towards giving practitioners alternative treatment options.

The Company is hoping to continue to explore the efficacy, safety and alternative applications of R327 in clinical trials.

Growing investor interest in Recce Pharmaceuticals has seen the Company recently added to the All Ordinaries index as part of S&P Global’s quarterly rebalance while also dual-listing onto the Frankfurt Stock Exchange last month.