# Lysterases as first-in-class prophylactic topical antimicrobials to prevent postsurgical shoulder infections

> **NIH NIH R43** · DERMALYTICA, INC. · 2020 · $258,631

## Abstract

Orthopedic surgeries to reconstruct and replace joints are increasingly in demand due to an aging
population and improvements in materials and techniques. However, postsurgical infections are
also of increasing concerns and are difficult to treat, often requiring revision surgeries that add to
patient suffering and medical costs. This problem is particularly acute in shoulder arthroplasty,
where robust aseptic protocols are not effective in preventing infections due to Cutibacterium
(formerly Propionibacterium) acnes, an opportunistic pathogen enriched in sebum-rich sebaceous
follicles that are found in abundance in the shoulder area. Dermalytica is developing first-in-class
antimicrobials that target pathogenic bacteria without impacting healthy microbiota. A novel and
diverse class of mycobacteriophage-encoded lytic enzymes can selectively and rapidly lyse C.
acnes, the bacterial culprit in acne. Dermalytica is developing these lytic enzymes as selective
topical antimicrobials that can penetrate sebaceous follicles as acne treatments, and the target
product profile is similar to that for prevention of shoulder arthroplasty postsurgical infections. We
propose to obtain proof-of-concept data on screening a panel of diverse lytic enzymes for their
ability to kill a broad range of C. acnes clinical isolates obtained from shoulder surgeries that have
been fully sequenced and molecularly characterized. Success in the proposed studies will enable
a comprehensive screen for suitable candidates to undergo preclinical development as a first-in-
class prophylactic antimicrobial to prevent shoulder arthroplasty infections and address this acute
unmet medical need.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10080363
- **Project number:** 1R43AI149848-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** DERMALYTICA, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** James K. Wang
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $258,631
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-05-14 → 2023-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10080363

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10080363, Lysterases as first-in-class prophylactic topical antimicrobials to prevent postsurgical shoulder infections (1R43AI149848-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10080363. Licensed CC0.

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