Pherecydes Pharma

Pherecydes Pharma is a biotechnology startup based in France, founded in 2006, that is making strides in combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The company's innovative approach revolves around developing antibacterial treatments using bacteriophages (phages) to combat bacterial infections in humans, particularly those resistant to antibiotics. This is crucial as antimicrobial resistant bacteria (AMR) are responsible for over 700,000 deaths annually as of 2014, a number that could escalate to over 10,000,000 by 2050 if left unchecked. Notably, no new class of antibiotics has been discovered in the last 30 years, making Pherecydes Pharma's work all the more pivotal. The company's emphasis on precision phagotherapy, tailoring treatments to suit each patient by considering the activity of the phages on the specific bacterial strain responsible for the infection, is highly promising. Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli are the priority bacterial targets identified by the World Health Organization due to their danger and prevalence in industrialized countries, making them prime candidates for Pherecydes Pharma's interventions. Remarkably, some of the patented phages developed by Pherecydes Pharma have already been administered under the supervision of French Health authorities (ANSM) as part of compassionate treatments. Recent investment news also highlights the company's potential, with Bpifrance providing a €2.00M grant investment in January 2022. This injection of capital signifies the recognition of Pherecydes Pharma's promise in the biotechnology and healthcare sectors, positioning it as a noteworthy player in the ongoing battle against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.