Next Science
Pioneering Biofilm Eradication with a Non-Toxic Approach

As naturally occurring bacterial colonies that attach to moist surfaces, biofilms affect nearly all aspects of human health. While biofilms have been recognized as being omnipresent in nature for the past 40 years, it has only been in the past two decades that clinical practitioners have realized how biofilms play a deleterious role in both device-related and tissue-based infections. The global impact of surgical site infections (SSIs) is colossal, and as many as 80 percent of these infections may be caused by a biofilm. About 17 million people in the US are affected by a biofilm infection, with an estimated 94 billion dollars in annual direct costs in the US healthcare sector alone.

Such a grim situation unquestionably calls for an effective diagnosis and management of biofilm-associated infections, which significantly impact morbidity, mortality, and healthcare economics. While numerous companies have failed to respond to this ever-growing crisis efficiently, Australia-based Next Science believes biofilm infections are a curable or preventable episode. “Using basic ingredients, our technology follows principles of material science with a non-toxic approach to break down and ultimately remove the biofilm. The solution is antimicrobial to any organisms that are enveloped within the solution, which allows us to help prevent surgical site infections,” states Dustin Haines, CCO of Next Science.

Unlike traditional researchers basing their research on studying the bacteria and generating unsuccessful results, Next Science approaches this problem from a different perspective. Leveraging its founder, Dr Matt Myntti’s expertise in material science, Next Science is leading the paradigm shift with its patented technology, Xbio, that removes the metallic ions that cross-link the polymers of the biofilm’s extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix.

As EPS creates a physical barrier obstructing the penetration of antimicrobials, this breakage exposes the bacteria within the biofilm and makes them more vulnerable to eradication. With multiple in vitro and in vivo clinical studies, thorough safety testing, and effective technology delivery systems, Next Science has created this rapid-acting technology with superior efficacy for both planktonic and biofilm bacterial forms. Xbio is gentle, has low toxicity and has a favourable environmental impact. The patented technology also helps to reduce the overall usage of antibiotics and has shown no known evidence of bacterial resistance.

Creating this revolutionary breakthrough for modern science, Next Science has been increasingly gaining a venerable reputation across the healthcare industry. Dustin highlights a testimonial where one of their customers, a small community-based hospital was facing a major infection control problem in their surgeries. They witnessed the rate of surgical infections exceeding the five percent mark, which was slightly above the national norm. This is when Next Science stepped into the picture and recommended the hospital to put several measures in place for treating surgical infections. One of them was Next Science’s highly effective antimicrobial wound gel, SurgX, applied directly to the incision site post-surgery. “Taking a retrospective look at the first 150 patients after a couple of months, our customer indicated that preliminary findings shows that patients had zero surgical site infections when SurgX was applied directly to the incision site post-surgery. It not only helped them control their infection problem, but should also reduce the overall healthcare expenditure they were experiencing,” affirms Haines. The final findings are expected to be published later in the year following a thorough data analysis.

Steering ahead with innovation and strategic partnerships, Next Science is set to further expand its pioneering combination of material science expertise with a non-toxic approach, and thereby minimize antibiotic use. Meanwhile, the company is soon going to offer a unique new antimicrobial surgical wash that does not require a secondary rinse out with saline after application. According to Haines it will help prevent a biofilm infection from occurring at the surgical site itself, offering three hours of added protection, and will not require a secondary rinse out with saline. “We are pretty excited to play a major role in helping to prevent surgical site infections. Our mission is to heal people and save lives,” concludes Haines.