Locus and Viatris Partner on Phage Therapies for Eye Infections

Locus Biosciences has announced a new research collaboration agreement with Viatris to develop engineered bacteriophage therapies targeting ophthalmic bacterial infections. This strategic partnership brings together Locus’s advanced synthetic biology platform and Viatris’s ophthalmic development expertise to address the growing global threat of antibiotic-resistant eye infections.

Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance in Ophthalmology

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant and escalating global health challenge, with multi-drug-resistant bacterial infections increasingly affecting the eye. Such infections can result in vision loss, treatment failure, and compromised surgical outcomes, highlighting a critical unmet need in ophthalmology.

The companies noted that this collaboration is aimed at developing next-generation antibacterial therapies that overcome the limitations of conventional antibiotics. These therapies will leverage the natural mechanism of phage therapy, using viruses that selectively infect and destroy harmful bacteria, while enhancing precision and safety through synthetic biology.

A Novel Approach to Ophthalmic Infections

Locus’s proprietary bacteriophage engineering platform integrates predictive artificial intelligence (AI), high-throughput robotics, and synthetic biology to design precision phage cocktails. These cocktails are engineered to selectively eliminate pathogenic bacteria while preserving the beneficial microbiota, offering a targeted and safer alternative to broad-spectrum antibiotics.

By uniting this platform with Viatris’s established capabilities in ophthalmic product development and commercialization, the partnership aims to accelerate the introduction of precision antibacterial therapies for eye care.

Leadership Commentary

Paul Garofolo, Co-founder and CEO of Locus Biosciences, stated:

“This partnership with Viatris marks a significant milestone for Locus as we bring our world-leading bacteriophage therapy platform to ophthalmology. Targeted therapies are urgently needed to address the growing burden of antimicrobial resistance in eye infections. We’re proud to work with Viatris to accelerate the development of new precision medicines for patients in need.”

Addressing a Growing Unmet Need

While financial details of the agreement were not disclosed, both companies emphasized the urgency of advancing solutions to combat AMR in ophthalmology. With traditional antibiotics facing declining effectiveness, this collaboration aims to establish a new standard of care by introducing engineered phage therapies specifically designed for serious ophthalmic bacterial infections.