Some of you may already be aware of the completion of our EUR 6 million modernization project at the historic phage manufacturing facility in Tbilisi, which dates back to 1934. We are now producing life-saving, phage-based novel antibiotics with European precision and quality.

„We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to our dear local and international partners (European Union, EBRD, Enterprise Georgia, FAO, ProCredit Bank and GITA). Without them, this project would not have been possible. To honor their contributions, we proudly introduce the PHAGE AWARD, recognizing their outstanding commitment to fighting antimicrobial resistance and advancing phage technology.“ – Rati Golijashvili, General Manager of BioChimPharm.

Please join us in celebrating this achievement by viewing the photos from our prize-giving ceremony.

Some of you may already be aware of the completion of our EUR 6 million modernization project at the historic phage manufacturing facility in Tbilisi, which dates back to 1934. We are now producing life-saving, phage-based novel antibiotics with European precision and quality.

„We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to our dear local and international partners (Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development – Within the co-financing programs of “Enterprise Georgia” and the Georgia’s Innovation & Technology Agency, European Union, EBRD, FAO and ProCredit Bank) without whom this project would not have been possible. To honor their contributions, we proudly introduce the PHAGE AWARD, recognizing their outstanding commitment to fighting antimicrobial resistance and advancing phage technology.“ – Rati Golijashvili, General Manager of BioChimPharm.

In today’s focus, we highlight the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development (Georgia)! We extend our sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Levan Davitashvili, and Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Irakli Nadareishvili, for their remarkable support in the fight against AMR and the development of Phage Technology Within the co-financing programs of “Enterprise Georgia” and the Georgia’s Innovation & Technology Agency.

Please join us in celebrating this achievement by viewing the photos from our prize-giving ceremony, which showcase the dedication of our partners. Together, we are making significant strides in combating AMR and propelling Phage Technology.

Some of you may already be aware of the completion of our EUR 6 million modernization project at the historic phage manufacturing facility in Tbilisi, which dates back to 1934. We are now producing life-saving, phage-based novel antibiotics with European precision and quality.

 
„We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to our dear local and international partners (European Union, EBRD, Enterprise Georgia, FAO, ProCredit Bank and GITA) without whom this project would not have been possible. To honor their contributions, we proudly introduce the PHAGE AWARD, recognizing their outstanding commitment to fighting antimicrobial resistance and advancing phage technology.“ – Rati Golijashvili, General Manager of JSC Biochimpharm.
 

In today’s focus, we highlight the GITA! We extend our sincere gratitude to the Georgia’s Innovation and Technology Agency, the GITA’s team, and to the Chairman at GITA – Georgia’s Innovation and Technology Agency, Avtandil Kasradze, for their remarkable support, in the fight against AMR and the development of Phage Technology. A memorandum of Understanding relating to the creation of a new innovative biopharmaceutical and biotechnological products aimed at defeating the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance was signed between BioChimPharm & GITA.

 
Please join us in celebrating this achievement by viewing the photos from our prize-giving ceremony, which showcase the dedication of our partners. 

Together, we are making significant strides in combating AMR and propelling Phage Technology.

Phage Factory BioChimPharm

Georgia, renowned for its 8,000-year-old winemaking tradition, also holds a significant place in the development of phage technology and therapy. The country boasts a rich history in this field, with early research and discoveries dating back to the early 20th century. Today, Georgia continues to be a pioneer in phage therapy, with institutions like Phage Factory BioChimPharm leading the way. BioChimPharm complated EUR 6 million modernization project at the historic phage manufacturing facility in Tbilisi, which dates back to 1934.

Bacteriophage

Located in the heart of Tbilisi, the newly modernized BioChimPharm manufacturing plant operates within the historic Bacteriophage Institute. This facility is the first in the South Caucasus to produce sterile liquid dosage forms, covering the entire production cycle, from the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to primary and secondary packaging of medicines. This state-of-the-art facility adheres to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards to ensure the highest quality and safety of phage-based products.

Phage treatment

As phage therapy gains recognition globally, collaboration and knowledge-sharing between institutions like Phage Factory BioChimPharm are essential for advancing the field. The pioneering work conducted in Georgia has the potential to significantly impact the global fight against antibiotic resistance. By further expanding clinical trials and collaborations, Phage Factory BioChimPharm aims to provide effective phage-based treatments for a wide range of bacterial infections.

Phage pharmaceuticals

• Phagyo^® is one of the mostly widely used pharmaceutical phage products in Georgia and in the world of phage therapy. It is produced by JSC BioChimPharm (Phage Factory), a world leader in R&D and the manufacturing of phage preparations with nearly 100 years of technological tradition and know-how.

  Bacterial infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract (inflammation of the sinuses, otitis media, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, pleuritis)

• Gastroenterology (enterocolitis, cholecystitis, dysbiosis – Irritable bowel disease (IBS))
• Urology (urethritis, cystitis, pyelonephritis) 

  

Phagyo^® has liquid form that can be taken orally and/or through local procedures, in consultation with a doctor. The dosage for adults is 20ml two-three times a day. For more detailed information, please refer to this annotation.

Phage Therapy Georgia

In conclusion, Georgia’s rich history in phage technology, combined with the groundbreaking advancements made by Phage Factory BioChimPharm, positions the country at the forefront of phage therapy. With its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and successful clinical applications, Georgia continues to contribute to the global fight against antimicrobial resistance, offering new hope in the form of phage-based treatments.

Some of you may already be aware of the completion of our EUR 6 million modernization project at the historic phage manufacturing facility in Tbilisi, which dates back to 1934. We are now producing life-saving, phage-based novel antibiotics with European precision and quality.
 
„we would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to our dear local and international partners (European Union, EBRD , Enterprise Georgia, FAO, ProCredit Bank and GITA) without whom this project would not have been possible. To honor their contributions, we proudly introduce the PHAGE AWARD, recognizing their outstanding commitment to fighting antimicrobial resistance and advancing phage technology.“ – Rati Golijashvili, General Manager of JSC Biochimpharm.
 
In today’s focus, we highlight the European Union and the FAO Georgia! We extend our sincere gratitude to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the FAO Georgia team, and the FAO Programme Coordinator, Javier Sanz Alvarez, for their remarkable support, under ENPARD III of the European Union, in the fight against AMR and the development of phage Technology.

Please join us in celebrating this achievement by viewing the photos from our prize-giving ceremony, which showcase the dedication of our partners. Together, we are making significant strides in combating AMR and propelling Phage Technology.

Some of you may already be aware of the completion of our EUR 6 million modernization project at the historic phage manufacturing facility in Tbilisi, which dates back to 1934. We are now producing life-saving, phage-based novel antibiotics with European precision and quality.
 
„We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to our dear local and international partners (European Union, EBRD, Enterprise Georgia, FAO, ProCredit Bank and GITA) without whom this project would not have been possible. To honor their contributions, we proudly introduce the PHAGE AWARD, recognizing their outstanding commitment to fighting antimicrobial resistance and advancing phage technology.“ – Rati Golijashvili, General Manager of JSC Biochimpharm.
 
In today’s focus, we highlight the EBRD! We extend our sincere gratitude to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the EBRD Georgia team, and EBRD Regional Director, Catarina Bjorlin Hansen, for their remarkable support in the fight against AMR and the development of Phage Technology.
 
Please join us in celebrating this achievement by viewing the photos from our prize-giving ceremony, which showcase the dedication of our partners. Together, we are making significant strides in combating AMR and propelling Phage Technology.

phage manufacturing

The first EU GMP standard phage factory was opened in Georgia

BioChimPharm (BCP) is a Georgian-based, biopharmaceutical Company engaged in R&D, production and marketing of sustainable alternative to antibiotics. To develop innovative products, company uses bacteriophages (phages), which are the natural enemies of bacteria.

BioChimPharm possesses unique technological knowhow and over 80 years of accumulated experience in R&D and the production of antibiotic alternatives. BCP is an ISO 9001-2015 certified, multi-award-winning Company with more than 60 people, 15 registered products and two international patents.

The Company exports its products to regional and international markets and is a regulatory authorized pharmaceutical manufacturer. The company’s production site and R&D laboratories are located in Tbilisi, Georgia in the historic bacteriophage production facility built in 1934.

In last 15 month, BioChimPharm invested over EUR 5 million in modernization and European Good Manufacturing Practice (EU GMP) compliance of its existing historical manufacturing facility of bacteriophages. The project was implemented with the support of the European Union, EBRD, World Bank, Enterprise Georgia and GITA.

” Since 2018, BioChimPharm has been actively working on the introduction of the EU GMP (European / International Pharmaceutical Production Standard) standard in the enterprise to expand its production. In particular, we want to develop new pharmaceutical forms of bacteriophage, as well as create new therapies for the treatment and prevention of various infections caused by resistant bacteria.

Up until now, the production of phage preparations and phage therapy, still is not common and widespread across the world, so we are trying to create something new, valuable on a global scale.

In general, our goal is to put the company and Georgia on the world biotechnology map and eliminate antibiotic resistance as one of the greatest threats to humanity”. – General Director Rati Golijashvili

BioChimPharm Renovates the World’s Oldest Phage Factory

Tbilisi, Georgia – BioChimPharm, a Georgian biopharmaceutical company, announces the completion of the modernization and renovation of its historic phage manufacturing facility, which was originally built in 1934. The facility, which is fully dedicated to R&D and the production of bacteriophage-based medications, has been updated to comply with EU GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) guidelines, an internationally recognized standard.

The two-year investment project, worth €6,000,000, is a significant step in BioChimPharm’s mission to provide access to phage therapy on a global scale and combat the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. It also highlights Georgia’s important role in the history and development of phage technology.

The modernization of the manufacturing plant, high-tech infrastructure and production lines enables BioChimPharm to scale-up its production, making bacteriophages available for millions of patients who suffer from antibiotic resistant infections across the globe. Since phage therapy is new to many countries, this renovation will allow for increased production capacity and expanded export capabilities.

“Millions of people still do not have access to phages, leaving patients vulnerable to antibiotic-resistant infections,” said Rati Golijashvili, the general manager of BioChimPharm. “With this project, the company is increasing its production capacity and export area, thus making bacteriophages available for millions of patients across the globe. The modernization of the manufacturing plant with high-tech infrastructure and production lines will enable BioChimPharm to scale-up its production in compliance with internationally recognized manufacturing standards, to become more effective in fight against the resistant infections, and to overcome the global threat of antibiotic resistance.”

Phages are a tiny, hundred times smaller microorganisms that infect and kill bacteria and they, have been found to be highly effective against antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains.

BioChimPharm has developed a range of breakthrough products that utilizes this technology to provide an alternative to traditional antibiotics and effectively treat antibiotic-resistant infections. These products represent a significant advancement in the fight against antibiotic resistance (AMR). Georgia besides being a pioneer and the world-renowned for its 8,000-year-old tradition of winemaking, it also happens to be a cradle of Phage technology and Phage Therapy. The Country has a rich history in the development of phage technology, with early research and discoveries dating back to the early 20th century. With this newly modernized manufacturing plant, BioChimPharm continues to contribute to the advancement of phage technology and improve access to phage therapy for patients globally.

With nearly 100 years of experience in phage R&D and production, BioChimPharm’s mission is to cut the overuse of antibiotics in the human and animal health industries and to overcome antibiotic resistant infections globally. The newly modernized manufacturing plant is located in the historic Bacteriophage Institute in the heart of Tbilisi, Georgia, and is the first enterprise producing sterile liquid dosage forms in the South Caucasus, covering the full production cycle, including the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and primary and secondary packaging of medicines.

For more information, please contact BioChimPharm at info@geophage.ge.

Phagyo and sore throats

What is a sore throat?

A sore throat is a painful, dry, or scratchy feeling in the throat.

Burning and pain are all common symptoms of a sore throat. More than 13 million people visit a doctor each year with this problem.

The main causes of sore throat are bacterial infections or environmental factors such as dry air. A sore throat usually has three forms:

• Pharyngitis causes swelling and soreness in the throat.
• Tonsillitis causes swelling and redness of the tonsils, the soft tissue in the back of the mouth.
• Laryngitis causes swelling and redness of the voice box, or larynx.

Sore throat symptoms:

• A dry, scratchy throat
• A burning feeling
• A raw feeling
• A tender throat
• An irritated throat

8 causes of a sore throat:

1. Fever, cold and other viral infections

2. 2. Bacterial infections
   3. Allergies
   4. Dry air
   5. Smoke and chemical waste
   6. Trauma
   7. Gastroesophageal reflux disease
   8. Tumor problem

Phagyo and sore throats

Phagyo is a medicine made by natural phages and is used to treat sore throats in children. It does not contain and flavoring or colouring, and the components of the drug do not come from genetically modified organisms. As a result, Phagyo has an unprecedentedly high level of safety.

Phagyo® is used for the treatment and prevention of the following upper and lower respiratory tract and ear-nose-throat infections caused by bacteria:

• Bronchitis
• Tonsillitis
• Sinusitis
• Laryngitis
• Pharyngitis

Phagyo® produced by the company BioChimPharm (Phage Factory). For more detailed information, please refer to this annotation.

Phages – a natural way to tackle antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic resistance is the ability of bacteria to become immune to antibiotics, rendering them powerless to treat a sick person. Antibiotic resistance causes 25,000 deaths each year in Europe, 35,000 in the United States, and up to 700,000 worldwide. According to the British government, if the problem continues to worsen, it will cause the death of 10 million people annually, with a global economic loss of over 100 trillion US dollars.

The overuse and irrational use of antibiotics are the main causes of resistance. Bacteria become resistant to antibiotics when we use them at the wrong time, or if we use them at the right time, but do not complete course.

The main way in which the human body becomes resistant to antibiotics is through the use of antibiotics in animal farms, especially in meat production. 80% of antibiotics are used in animal farms as a cheap way to maintain hygiene and increase animal weight. Antibiotics are also used to fertilize crops. As people absorb antibiotics through their food, bacteria become resistant.

Phages – the natural “enemy” of bacteria

In 1917, in India, Felix Derell, a Canadian scientist of French descent, began to observe and analyze the origin of pure white circles in the famous River Ganges. At that time, River Ganges was also known as a “magic” river. After months of investigation, he came to the conclusion that certain clean areas developed invisible germs that feed on bacteria; he named these organisms “bacteriophages” – a name derived from Ancient Greek, meaning bacterium eaters.

What are bacteriophages?

Bacteriophages, or simply phages, are the most common microorganisms on earth. They can be found on the ground, in water, on our skin, and inside our bodies. One drop of sea water contains millions of phages, while the human body contains billions of them. Phages destroy specific bacteria, but nothing else. They do not have the ability to harm human, animal or plant cells, what makes them far safer than antibiotics. To use a military analogy, antibiotics are like weapons of mass While bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics, they cannot protect themselves against phages.

How do phages fight bacteria?

Phages eat bacteria. Phages finds bacterial cells, attaches themselves to the wall, and release their own genetic information into the bacteria. After multiplication, the phages kill the bacteria and continue to kill the other bacteria until the infection is over.

Phagyo®

Phagyo medicine is produced by BioChimPharm (Phage Factory). It is a leading phage treatment in the world of phage therapy, acknowledged in Georgia and throughout the world.

Phagyo^®  is used for the treatment and prevention of the following bacterial purulent-inflammatory infections:

• Bacterial infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract (inflammation of the sinuses, otitis media, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, pleuritis)
• Gastroenterology (enterocolitis, cholecystitis, dysbiosis – Irritable bowel disease (IBS))
• Urology (urethritis, cystitis, pyelonephritis)

Due to its unique and natural characteristics, Phagyo® can be used by adults and children from birth, as well as during pregnancy and lactation. The drug has no side effects, does not contain flavorings and dyes, and is not derived from genetically modified organisms. As a result, Phagyo has a very high level of safety.

One 20 ml vial of the medicine contains at least 10 million specially selected phages, ensuring its quality and effectiveness.

History of phage therapy

The history of phage therapy began about 100 years ago. In 1917, Felix Derell, a Canadian scientist of French descent, began to observe and analyze the origin of pure white cirles in the river Ganges in India. At that time, the Ganges was also known as a “magic” river. After months of investigation, he came to the conclusion that certain clean areas developed invisible germs which were destroying bacteria; he named these organisms bacteriophages (“bacteria eaters” from the ancient Greek).

After Derell returned to France, he tried to convince the sientific community in the Pasteur Institute of the existence of these invisible micro-organisms and the need to begin researching them, but the Institute was sceptical.

At the same time, Georgian scientist Giorgi Eliava was traveling in France to study vaccination technology. He was sent in France with governmental support, where he crossed paths with Derell. Eliava became a student of the French scientist, later becoming good friends.

Eliava convinced Derell to travel to Tbilisi, Georgia and establish the first bacteriophage-focused research institute with support from the Soviet government. According to urban legend, Stalin himself allocated them over 300 million rubles for this purpose, with the world’s first phage reserach institute built in 1934.

BioChimPharm

BioChimPharm (Phage Factory) began in the early 90s, when, despite the country’s difficult situation following the fall of the Soviet Union, Alexander Gholijashvili, a Georgian biotechnologist with 15 years of experience, and his colleagues founded the world’s first commercial pharmaceutical company specialised in bacteriophages.

Despite the difficult circumstances and limited resources, the company developed the phage technology even further. Currently, BioChimPharm is one of the key players in phage therapy production worldwide.

BioChimPharm’s medicines contain specially selected phages that even destroy those bacteria against which antibiotics are powerless. Phage therapy has a particular role in the fight against antibiotic resistance. The mission of BioChimPharm is to eradicate the use of antibiotics and overcome resistant infections.

BioChimPharm continues to develop the rich history of phage technology from its offices in Gotua Street, Tbilisi, Georgia.

What is stomatitis? Symptoms and Phage therapy

What is stomatitis?

Stomatitis is an inflammation of the mouth that may cause discomfort when you are eating, talking or sleeping. Stomatitis can develop anywhere in the mouth: on the cheeks, gums, tongue or lip. Stomatitis may cause single or multiple white damage and painful sores in the mouth. Mouth sores generally don’t last longer than two weeks.

What causes stomatitis?

There are two main types of stomatitis: herpes stomatitis (sores) and aphthous stomatitis. Herpetic stomatitis is caused by the simple herpes virus, while aphthous stomatitis is usually caused by poor oral hygiene or mucosal trauma.

The causes of stomatitis include:

• Bacterial infections
• Systemic diseases (g. intestinal inflammation)
• Nutritional deficiency (g. a lack of vitamin B12)
• Physical damage to the oral system
• Oral irritation caused by chemical additives (g. in oral care products)
• Allergic reactions
• Tobacco
• Chemotherapy
• Radiotherapy

Symptoms of stomatitis

The symptoms of stomatitis include red spots, blisters or swelling in the mouth. A burning feeling and an increase in ulcers may accompany these symptoms. The sores typically have a white or yellow coating and develop on the tongue, lips, cheeks, or gums. Other signs of stomatitis include gum swelling and excruciating pain.

Phagyo – treatment of stomatitis with phages

Since bacteria are the main cause of stomatitis, one way of treating it is with phages, which are bacteria’s natural “enemies”. Phage therapy is used to treat and prevent chronic and acute bacterial infections with bacteriophages (or simply phages).

Phagyo^® is one of the most popular pharmaceutical phage products in Georgia and in the world of phage therapy. It is produced by JSC BioChimPharm (Phage Factory), a world leader in R&D and the manufacture of phage preparations with nearly 100 years of technological tradition and know-how.

Phagyo tackles stomatitis by only targeting the harmful bacteria that cause the disease, eliminating it completely.

Phagyo® is used to treat bacterial stomatitis. Brush your mouth 3 times a day.

For more detailed information, please read this annotation.

What are enteroviruses?

Enteroviruses in children

There are several types of enteroviruses and they are very common. Most of them simply result in minor illness. Infections are mostly active in the summer and fall. The viruses tend to cause illness in babies, children, and teens because most adults have already been exposed to enteroviruses, building up their immunity.

Enteroviruses may not have any obvious symptoms and can be mild. They are often found in the form of summer flu. Enteroviruses can also cause rashes on the hands, feet and face.

However, some types of enteroviruses are considerably more complex and can be more severe. Some of them have the potential to develop meningitis and inflame the tissue that surrounds the brain. The most severe enteroviruses can also cause breathing problems in children.

How do enterovirus infections spread in children?

Enteroviruses spread through air droplets, by coughing or sneezing. A child may inhale the virus or touch an area contaminated with the virus and then touch their eyes, mouth, or nose. The risk of spreading infection is high when children do not wash their hands or wash their hands incorrectly. It can also be spread by ingesting food or water containing the virus.

The main symptoms of enteroviruses:

Enteroviruses can manifest themselves in mild forms or without overt symptoms. The most common symptoms include the following:

• • Fever
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Sore throat
  • Flu
  • Sneezing
  • Cough
  • Difficult breathing
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Red rashes in the mouth, on palms
  • Red rashes anywhere on the body

Phage Therapy – Travelphage

TravelPhage is a preparation that protects travelers from dangerous infections. It consists of specially selected bacteriophages (phages) that effectively destroy the harmful bacteria that cause various diseases and protect the human body from food poisoning, diarrhea and infections. TravelPhage can be used from the age 3 years and above.

Travelphage is used not only for treatment, but also for preventive purposes. For detailed information, please refer to this annotation.

Cystitis

What is Cystitis?

Cystitis is a bladder inflammation. The most common cause of bladder inflammations is bacterial infection, also known as UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections). Cystitis is very painful and should be treated with care to avoid it spreading to the kidneys and causing serious problems.

Symptoms of Cystitis

• • Urinary incontinence
  • Scalding
  • Blood in the urine (hematuria)
  • Passing cloudy or strong-smelling urine
  • Kidney discomfort
  • Low temperature
  • Pelvic discomfort

Causes of cystitis

Cystitis is usually caused by the following:

• Excessive consumption of antibiotics and medicines, leading to antibiotic resistance
• Ultraviolet rays in the solarium
• Excessive use of feminine hygiene products
• Bladder or kidneys diseases
• Sexual intercourse
• Harmful bacteria are presented in sexually inactive women bodies

Bacterial Cystitis

Bacterial cystitis is caused by the E.coli bacteria, which enters the body through the urinary tract and multiplies there. Cystitis is three times more common in girls than in boys. About 20-25% of women get some form of cystitis at least once in their lifetime. 10% permanently complain of cystitis symptoms (chronic cystitis).

Phagyo^® – a treatment for cystitis

Since bacteria are the main cause of cystitis, phages, the natural “enemies” of bacteria, are used to treat them.  Phage therapy is used to prevent and treat chronic and acute bacterial infections through bacteriophages (or simply phages).

Phagyo^® is one of the mostly widely used pharmaceutical phage products in Georgia and in the world of phage therapy. It is produced by JSC BioChimPharm (Phage Factory), a world leader in R&D and the manufacturing of phage preparations with nearly 100 years of technological tradition and know-how.

Phagyo^®  is used for the treatment and prevention of the following bacterial purulent-inflammatory infections:

• Bacterial infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract (inflammation of the sinuses, otitis media, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, pleuritis)
• Gastroenterology (enterocolitis, cholecystitis, dysbiosis – Irritable bowel disease (IBS))
• Urology (urethritis, cystitis, pyelonephritis)

Phagyo^®  has liquid form that can be taken orally and/or through local procedures, in consultation with a doctor. The dosage for adults is 20ml two-three times a day. For more detailed information, please refer to this annotation.

Phage

Bacteriophages (Phages) are microorganisms that target and kill specific bacteria. Phage therapy is effectively used to treat and prevent bacterial infections (including antibiotic resistant infections) by killing harmful bacteria that cause illnesses, while at the same time not affecting beneficial bacteria and microbiome of the human body.. Substitution of irrational use of antibiotics, which fuels development of the resistance (bacteria becomes resistant to certain antibiotics) is one of the greatest challenges for the society and security in terms of the emerging global threat of antibiotic resistance. Phage therapy is the only viable alternative to antibiotic therapy nowadays. Using phage biodiversity and advanced technologies  it is becoming increasingly accessible to discover new phages and develop highly effective bacteriophage based medicines, year by year. Dozens of phage preparations have commercially been and are available for more than 50 years.

Phage therapy has been  successfully used to treat patients with severe, incurable infections as well as those who have developed resistance to antibiotics. A growing number of successful cases give patients, suffering from resistant infections, a hope that antibiotics can be replaced by alternative treatments such as bacteriophages. For decades, Phages have been the subject of intensive scientific investigation, which has led to astonishing results:

• Phages can be used successfully in patients whose antibiotic treatment has failed;

• Scientists have a large documentary material based on multiple investigations;

• Technological improvements have increased the number of phages that can be used to develop new medicines.

What is Phage Therapy?

Phage therapy is a medical practice of applying bacteriophages and bacteriophage preparations for treatment and prevention of different chronic, severe infections caused by harmful (pathogenic) bacteria such as Staphylococcus (MRSA), E.Coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterrococcus, Salmonella, Streptococcus (VRE), Proteus, Shigella, C. diff, Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter and their combinations.Phage preparations are effectively used in medicine as a treatment for purulent-inflammatory infections, Bacterial infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract infections, in urology and infections of urogenital system, purulent-inflammatory neonatal infections, prosthetic joint infections and etc. caused by the above mentioned pathogenic bacteria. . Phages are also used to treat patients suffering from incurable multi-drug resistant infections.

Advantages of Phage therapy:

• Phages selectively target and destroy only the disease-causing bacteria, including antibiotic resistant ones;

• Unlike antibiotics, phages do not affect and damage beneficial microbiome of the human body;

• Phages are used for treatment as well as for prevention of life-threatening infections;

Phagyo®

Phagyo^® is a phage preparation and over the counter medicine that is one of the mostly used pharmaceutical product in Georgia and in the world of phage therapy. The phage preparation is produced by JSC BioChimPharm, the world leader in R&D and manufacturing of phage preparations with over 100 years of technological tradition and know-how.

Phagyo® used for treatment and prevention of bacterial purulent-inflammatory infections:

• Bacterial infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract (inflammation of the sinuses, otitis media, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, pleuritis);

• gastroenterology (enterocolitis, cholecystitis, dysbiosis);

• in urology (urethritis, cystitis, pyelonephritis);

• purulent-inflammatory neonatal infections (omphalitis, pyoderma, conjunctivitis, sepsis);

Due to its unique natural characteristics, Phagyo^® can be used in adults, children, newborn babies, during pregnancy and lactation, as well as in all vulnerable groups of patients. The medicine has no side effects, does not contain flavorings and colorings, the components of the medicine are not genetically modified organisms. This is what ensures Phagyo^®s unprecedented level of safety for any antimicrobial. One 20 ml vial of the medicine contains over10 million specially selected phages, which determines its quality and effectiveness.

phage

“Bacteriophage”, abbreviated as “phage”, means the absorber of bacteria. This word is made up from two Greek words: bacterium (which means “sticks”) and phagein which means (absorption).

Phages, the most common microorganisms on Earth, are invisible to the human eye. Phages can be found on the ground, in the water, on our skin, and inside our bodies. Not many people know, that humans absorb Millions of phages every day from food and water.

Bacteriophages have been given a great mission by nature: they must protect the earth from the overgrowth of bacteria and maintain the natural balance of life on the planet. In every 48 hours half of bacteria are eliminated by phages in the oceans.

The phage specifically destroys only its respective bacteria. Phages cannot harm human, animal or plant cells, which ensures  unprecedented levels of safety for any antimicrobial solution.

mkurnali.ge

Phage Therapy VS Antibiotic Therapy

Antibiotic resistance has been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a global problem. Yet a medicine is being produced in Georgia that can provide serious competition to antibiotics: bacteriophages. Three years ago, Ivane Chkhaidze, the clinical director of the Iashvili Central Children’s Hospital, was contacted by colleagues from the Netherlands about bacteriophages – highlighting the growing interest in bacteriophages, which were discovered by Georgian and French scientists a century ago, as an alternative to antibiotics in modern medicine.

We talked to Ivane Chkhaidze, the clinical director of Iashvili Hospital, about the problems caused by antibiotic resistance, phage therapy and “phages”.

When did medicine start using antibiotics?

The first antibiotic used in medicine was penicillin. It was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928 and was first used against infections in 1942. Medical circles thought that the invention of antibiotics had practically defeated infectious diseases. In the early years this was the case, leading doctors to believe that an appropriate antibiotic could be found for any infection found in the human body. Antibiotics worked effectively, and a huge range of them became available. For example, in 1983-92, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensed 30 new antibiotics for clinical use. But they haven’t licensed any more since 2010, because of the problem of antibiotic resistance, leading to a reconsideration of antibiotics.

What caused the change in attitude towards antibiotics?

It turns out that there are some bacteria against which antibiotics are powerless – even when used in combination. That has given modern medicine a big dilemma. We know that there are bacteria in the human body, but we do not have the resources to fight it. A new generation antibiotic, the fifth-generation cephalosporin, was last delivered in clinical practice in 2010. Although dozens of new antibiotics were developed in the 1970s and 1980s, it’s been nine years since modern medicine developed a new antibiotic to fight infections.

What caused antibiotic resistance?

The reasons are many. One of the main causes of antibiotic resistance is its inappropriate use., including the failure to complete the course of antibiotics prescribed by the doctor, the selection of the wrong dose, and the use of antibiotics in agriculture. But there are a number of other reasons that have caused the development of antibiotic resistance. This is a multifactorial problem.

Another cause is the way antibiotics work. They act not only on the specific bacteria that cause the disease, but also on all the bacteria in the body. In general, there are dangerous bacteria, as well as bacteria that are necessary for the body – which we call “friendly” bacteria. When treated with antibiotics, it’s not only the dangerous bacteria that cause the disease that die, but the friendly bacteria die too.

In addition, a wide range of drugs are particularly dangerous, as they destroy much more bacteria, damaging beneficial microflora. For example, during pneumonia, we prescribe the medicine we need to fight the bacterium that causes pneumonia, but at the same time it fights dozens of others that are not to blame for pneumonia. This is a negative side of antibiotics and one of the reasons for the development of its resistance.

How long can antibiotic resistance develop?

There is no specific timeline but this process become much faster. For example, after the introduction of penicillin into clinical practice in 1942, it took 24 years to develop resistance to it, whereas resistance to daptomycin developed in one year: its use began in 2003, but resistance developed in 2004. That is, we can say that eventually all bacteria become resistant to antibiotics.

What is the solution? What does world medicine have to do to solve the problem? 

Bacteriophages were discovered by a French scientist, Felix D. Erel, in 1917, who pioneered the the use of bacteriophages in clinical practice in the 1920s alongside the Georgian scientist Giorgi Eliava. Bacteriophages can be an alternative to solve the problem of resistance. There was no particular need for its use in the previous century because there was an antibiotic that “worked” very well against the bacteria. But after the emergence of antibiotic resistance, attention returned to bacteriophages. Until now, the Phage production was used mainly in Georgia and in post-Soviet countries. Because the bacteriophage was confined to Russian-language literature, there was quite low awareness of it around the world. However, as the problem of antibiotic resistance worsened, we have entered a new stage in the history of bacteriophages with participation from foreign doctors, not only Georgian ones. Over the last 10 years, up to 100 English-language papers have been published on the drug.

To be more specific, what is the principle of bacteriophages?

Bacteriophages intentionally only destroy disease-causing bacteria in the body, without any negative side effects. The main factor distinguishing it from an antibiotic is that an antibiotic has an unintended effect on all the bacteria in the body, while a bacteriophage is more specific.

If we compare the instructions on phages and antibiotics, we can easily understand the main difference between ways they act. The instructions for the phage say that it is a remedy against five types of bacteria: Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Escherichia coli, Proteus, and Pseudomonas. While the narrowest-spectrum antibiotic annotations list these five bacteria in parallel, the broadest range of antibiotics contains dozens. As a result, the wider the range of antibiotic action, the longer the list of side effects. Physiotherapy has no side effects. We should not forget the fact that the phage does not create a resistant microflora.

Is phage therapy prescribed before the development of inflammation or directly during inflammation?

Phages can be prescribed during inflammation, but you need to know exactly what the underlying cause is. It takes courage to fight inflammation without antibiotics. However, if the doctor is convinced that it is one of the five leading bacteria, then he can use phage therapy.

How often do you use phage therapy?

“Phagyo”, the Georgian phage therapy, can be used as it has proven its effectiveness in practice many times. I have one special story about this medicine. Three years ago, I was contacted by colleagues from the Netherlands about a bacteriophage produced in Georgia. They had a patient with cystic fibrosis, a congenital disease characterized by the presence of recurrent, bacterial inflammatory processes in the respiratory system. The patient was 18 years old and already had resistance to antibiotics, which put his life in danger. Conducting a course of phage therapy with this patient gave us much better results than antibiotic therapy.

It was after this incident that I became interested in phage therapy. It turns out that there are a number of recent interesting studies in English that have led it to be considered as a valid alternative to antibiotic therapy.

Statement on the general meeting of JSC “BiochimPharm”

according to the Law of Georgia on Entrepreneurs, the Supervisory Board of JSC “BiochimPharm” convenes another general meeting of shareholders of JSC, which will be held on May 30, 2022, at 12:00 a.m. Address: st. Tbilisi, Gotua st. 8. Form of voting: Open form of voting of the attending shareholders – by raising their hands.

Meeting agenda:

1. Annual report.
2. Approval of the report of the Supervisory Board.
3. Report on the economic situation.
4. Proposal on net profit distribution.
5. Approval of the director’s report.

The shareholder can check the right to participate in the meeting (accounting day) from 10 May to 20 May 2022 from 10 May to 20 May 2022. The shareholder must have an ID card. Address: Independent Registrar JSC “United Registrar of Securities of Georgia” (License N 70006; I. Chavchavadze Avenue N74a, 0162 Tbilisi, Georgia, telephone number: 2225351).

The shareholder who had the right of ownership for the accounting day of the general meeting has the right to participate and vote in the general meeting. Representation is allowed on the basis of a notarized power of attorney.

For detailed information regarding the meeting and recommendations on the agenda, shareholders can apply to the Supervisory Board of JSC “BiochimPharm”.

Director of JSC “BiochimPharm”
A. Gholijashvili

Georgian biotech company BioChimPharm has won a grant from the Georgian Innovation and Technology Agency for its innovative veterinary antimicrobial product –  PowerPhage.

PowerPhage is the world’s first natural antimicrobial effective in fighting harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli and Shigella.

The product aims to provide alternatives to the use of antibiotics in poultry and livestock production and fight against the problem of antibiotic resistance.

PowerPhage can replace antibiotics on chicken and livestock farms, the company says.

Unlike other antimicrobials such as antibiotics, phages selectively eliminate disease-causing bacteria without harming the beneficial microflora of the organism.

”PowerPhage works against antibiotic resistant bacteria and inhibits the spread of antibiotic resistance. It is 100% natural, non-toxic and biodegradable”, the head of the innovation and business development department at BioChimPharm Rati Golijashvili says.

PowerPhage is still in the final stages of development, but will go public shortly.

The company BioChimPharm (BCP) has more than 80 years of experience in developing and manufacturing phage-based, alternative antibiotic remedies. The company is engaged in the development and production of a sustainable alternative to antibiotics.

The development and research of the phage-based therapy in Georgia is connected with the Georgian physician, bacteriologist and phage researcher George Eliava (1892-1937). Together with French-Canadian scientist Felic D’Herelle, who first discovered bacteriophages, Eliava had founded a bacteriological institute in Tbilisi in 1923.  Giorgi Eliava was executed during the Stalin’s red terror in 1937.