Dr Renee Ng

Antimicrobial resistance is predicted to cause more than 10 million deaths every year by 2050.

With antibiotics losing their effectiveness, new solutions are urgently needed. Here in Western Australia, the Phage WA Facility is leading the way by developing bacteriophages (‘phagesʼ), natural viruses that attack harmful bacteria, into safe and effective treatments.

This research is critical because production has been one of the main barriers to large-scale clinical trials and the wider use of phage therapy due to the lack of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

The objective of this project is to establish a robust, validated, and scalable manufacturing framework, which will culminate in the design of a fit-for-purpose phage manufacturing facility. Success on this project will place Western Australia at the forefront of global efforts to deliver phage therapy as a viable alternative to antibiotics and fast-track its translation into standard clinical care.