Medieval Remedy for MRSA
A thousand-year-old Anglo-Saxon remedy for eye infections, taken from a medieval medical “leech book,” has been found to kill the modern-day superbug MRSA, according to microbiologists at the University of Nottingham in the UK. The researchers demonstrated that “Bald’s eye salve” kills up to 90% of MRSA bacteria in wound biopsies from in vivo mouse models. They believe the bactericidal effect of the recipe is not due to a single ingredient but a combined effect, along with the brewing methods and the container material used. The researchers are continuing to investigate how and why the ancient formula works.
No Approval for CXL System
The FDA decided not to approve Avedro’s new drug application for its riboflavin/KXL System for corneal crosslinking. This came as something of a surprise because an FDA advisory panel had recommended the corneal crosslinking platform for approval in February. “We are disappointed with the outcome of the review and the implications this has for patients in the US suffering from keratoconus or corneal ectasia who remain in need of a therapeutic treatment for these sight-threatening conditions,” said Avedro’s CEO David Muller, PhD.
The FDA expanded the approved use for Eylea intravitreal injection (aflibercept, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals) to treat diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetic macular edema. Eylea is already approved to treat wet age-related macular degeneration, as well as diabetic macular edema and macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusions.
