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        Nasal spray to prevent ear infections closer to fruition thanks to major grant

        A nasal spray that could potentially prevent childhood ear infections and reduce antibiotic use is a step closer to clinical trials thanks to a $500,000 CUREator grant.

        Spritz-OM guards the ear from infection using ‘friendly bacteria’ and aims to reduce the incidence of middle ear infection, or otitis media, in young children.

        Developed by researchers at the Telethon Kids Institute and The University of Western Australia, the nasal spray has been shown to work in the laboratory and work is now underway to start clinical trials.

        Scientific Lead and Spritz-OM Inventor, Associate Professor Lea-Ann Kirkham, said more than 700 million children worldwide suffered an ear infection every year, with one in four experiencing recurrent infections and requiring antibiotics.

        “For Aboriginal children, this figure increases to one in two children,” Associate Professor Kirkham, who is also Co-Head, Bacterial Respiratory Infectious Disease Group at Telethon Kids’ Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, said. “This funding will springboard Spritz-OM toward clinical trials to assess the nasal spray’s safety and efficacy for preventing childhood ear infections.”

        If successful, Spritz-OM could reduce antibiotic dependence and prevent severe ear infections that can lead to hearing loss. 

        The grant has been made possible by CUREator, a national biotechnology incubator run by Brandon BioCatalyst to support the development of Australia’s biomedical and research innovations. Funded by the Medical Research Future Fund and Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, CUREator provides grant funding programs for opportunities spanning from discovery to clinical development.

        It is one of five grants awarded as part of the Minimising Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) stream of funding to target the growing threat of AMR. The World Health Organization identifies AMR as one of the biggest threats to global health and predicts that by 2050 it will be the world’s leading cause of death. 

        Associate Professor Kirkham said that, globally, otitis media was the main reason children were prescribed antibiotics and underwent surgery. Treatment costs $500 million every year in Australia and US$5 billion in the United States.

        “Otitis media prevention would mean fewer GP visits, fewer antibiotics, and fewer surgeries, allowing redirection of healthcare resources and reduced antimicrobial resistance pressure,” she said. 

        “Socioeconomic value from otitis media prevention includes reduced absenteeism, improved hearing and educational outcomes, mitigation of health inequity, and enhanced wellbeing.”

        Associate Professor Kirkham said the grant would advance manufacturing of Spritz-OM so clinical trials can get underway. 

        First published Friday 1 March 2024.

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        About Telethon Kids Institute

        Telethon Kids Institute is one of the largest and most successful medical research institutes in Australia. We've created a bold blueprint that brings together community, researchers, practitioners, policy makers and funders, who share our vision to improve the health and wellbeing of children through excellence in research.

        The Institute is headed by leading paediatrician and infectious diseases expert Professor Jonathan Carapetis, with Founding Director Professor Fiona Stanley now Patron.

        Telethon Kids is independent and not-for-profit. The majority of funding comes from our success in winning national and international competitive research grants.  We also receive significant philanthropic support from corporate Australia and the community.

        CUREator

        About CUREator

        CUREator is a national biotechnology incubator run by Brandon BioCatalyst to support the development of Australian biomedical research and innovations. Funded by the Medical Research Future Fund and Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, CUREator provides grant funding programs for opportunities spanning from discovery to clinical development. Funding is provided like an investor with clear milestone-driven tranches to achieve key value-adding and de-risking development milestones. CUREator works closely with project teams to guide them through the early development phase, offering scientific and commercial expertise and networks to support projects meeting key outcomes.

        For more information about CUREator, visit: https://brandonbiocatalyst.com/cureator/

        Brandon BioCatalyst and Brandon Capital

        About Brandon BioCatalyst and Brandon Capital

        Brandon Capital is Australasia's leading life science venture capital firm, with a strong global presence supported by key partnerships and team members across the US and UK. From early-stage seed investment to expansion capital, and Brandon Capital supports life science companies from proof-of-concept to commercialisation.  Managed by Brandon Capital, Brandon BioCatalyst is a unique collaboration of over 50 leading medical research institutes, investors, and government united by a single purpose: progressing the next generation of medical therapies and technology that improve health and save lives.

        www.brandoncapital.vc | www.brandonbiocatalyst.com

        CSIRO

        About CSIRO

        CSIRO is Australia’s national science agency and innovation catalyst. We solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Our collaborative research turns science into solutions for food security and quality; clean energy and resources; health and wellbeing; resilient and valuable environments; innovative industries; and a secure Australia and region.

        Minimising Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Mission

        About the Minimising Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Mission

        Developed by the CSIRO the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Minimising AMR Mission is working to halt Australia's rising death rate and economic burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by 2030.  This will be achieved by delivering a sustainable One Health ecosystem that enables and accelerates the development, uptake, and adoption of solutions to prevent, manage and respond to AMR in humans, animals and the environment. The Minimising AMR Mission marks the anniversary of its launch on February 28, 2024.