Brilacidin is modeled after defensin proteins in t

Brilacidin is modeled after defensin proteins in terms of its polarity and biologic activity. Defensin proteins, like many proteins, are less stable.They are chains of amino acids which are held together with relatively weak chemical bonds. They are more likely to be damaged by digestive processes such as gastric acidity and intestinal processes. They have a shorter duration of action.They are expensive to produce and have been difficult to develop into pharmaceuticals even after decades of study.

Brilacidin is based on the chemical structure of a defensin, Magainin. Magainin was discovered by Michael Zasloff who attempted to develop it into an antibiotic. After several years he was frustrated in his research by the limitations outlined above.

Polymedix Researchers recognized these short comings and were able to replace the weaker peptide core with a more stable core consisting of stronger chemical aromatic rings and by using amides {arylamides} which allowed Brilacidin to be more stable but maintain its defensin like abilities. By biochemically altering the structure and using a supercomputer to predict how molecular changes in the alignment of its biologically active hyrophillic positive side with its negatively charge side they were able to increase its biologically activity many times over.

They studied scores of compounds this way and Brilacidin was unique in its abilities such as:

1.A strong antibiotic active against gram positive and some gram negative bacteria.
2.Immunomodulating characteristics to control the inflammatory efforts of the bodies immune system in a positive way.
3. The antiviral effects are currently being studied and to date have been initially positive with future studies to delineate its place as a possible treatment.
4. Multiple human studies have shown it to be safe.
5. Studies such as immune passage studies show it is less likely to develop bacterial resistance.

Dr Degrado and his team's goal was to mimic and improve the biologic actions of a a natural antibiotic in order to capture its biologic actions which have been honed by eons of evolution. Past studies have shown them to be successful; future studies may show researchers have only scratched the surface of its potential.