• R327 demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
• Nebulised inhaled R327 was well tolerated and displayed significant efficacy
• Meropenem, a common antibiotic, cannot always be effectively nebulised due to solubility constraints

Recce Pharmaceuticals reported positive preclinical data from an ongoing research program conducted by Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) investigating the therapeutic efficacy of RECCE® 327 (R327) in a validated model of Hospital/Ventilator Acquired Pneumonia (HAP/VAP) caused by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) - a critical global health priority pathogen. In the study, 40 female mice were assigned to seven treatment groups receiving either R327, placebo, saline, or meropenem (a last resort treatment option) by intranasal drops or nebulisation. Unlike meropenem, which is challenging to nebulise due to solubility limitations and can be associated with significant side effects, R327 can be effectively nebulised, providing a major practical advantage for treating serious lung infections where direct delivery to the lungs is critical. At 24 hours post-infection, animals treated with R327 showed a significant reduction in bacterial load in the lungs compared with untreated and placebo groups. Both intranasal and nebulised R327 achieved strong bacterial clearance, with nebulised R327 treatment resulting in a 4-log reduction, corresponding to over 99.99% lower bacterial burden in the lungs. Importantly, the nebulised R327 group achieved bacterial counts approaching the lower limit of detection, demonstrating potent local infection control. These results further validate the versatility of R327 as a potential treatment for serious, drug-resistant lung infections, with the ability to be effectively delivered as a fine mist directly to the lung, precisely where the infection occurs.

These results are highly encouraging for the future clinical translation of R327 as a potential treatment for serious, drug-resistant lung infections. The ability to administer R327 via nebuliser or ventilator provides a significant real-world advantage in hospital settings, including intensive care and emergency environments where rapid, localised treatment is critical.