Outbreak of infections due to the superbug Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae, or CRE, at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center

The Associated Press is reporting an outbreak of infections due to the superbug Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae, or CRE, at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.  At least seven patients have been diagnosed with the infection, two of whom died.  Spread of the highly antibiotic resistant bacteria is thought to have occurred via contaminated equipment.  Infections caused by CRE are associated with high mortality because few treatment options exist.

Trana Discovery has already identified an essential target that is shared among these bacteria.  Therefore, Trana is seeking a partner to help advance its technology for the discovery and development of novel antibiotic that could be effective for management of CRE infections”