SURFACTANT-BASED HYDROGEL, METHODS AND USES THEREOF

WOM-iCARE presents a superior alternative to current treatment options (antibiotics) as it offers the following benefits: - Efficacy: Demonstrated efficacy in reducing gonorrhoeae infection in preclinical models, with just one application, encouraging adherence and consistent use; - Safety: No inflammatory response or damage to vaginal mucosa observed, and no perceptible impact on vaginal microbiome, enhances its acceptance for prophylactic use; - Antimicrobial Resistance: Does not induce antimicrobial resistance, offering a sustainable solution; - Accessibility: Low production costs, stable shelf-life at room-temperature ensure reduced production and distribution costs. It also dispenses the need of trained professionals to administer the treatment; - Ease of Use: odorless, colorless, and user-friendly gel formulation allows for convenient self-administration, and easy removal, enhancing patient adherence to therapy thus reducing healthcare system burden; WOM-iCARE is suitable for use as a microbicide in topical treatment and prophylaxis of N. gonorrhoeae. Particularly, we have also demonstrative data on the high efficacy of WOM-iCARE against Streptococcus agalactiae. This bacterium is responsible for most of the newborn infections and is transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth. Other target infections include: Chlamydia trachomatis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycoplasma genitalium, Gardnerella vaginalis, Treponema pallidum, Haemophilus ducreyi, Klebsiella granulomatis (or Calymmatobacterium granulomatis).