AURApeutics develops ultrasound-responsive nanodroplet carriers that deliver antibiotics directly into chronic biofilm infections. The platform combines nanoscale drug loading with focused acoustic activation to disrupt protective biofilm matrices and release antimicrobial payloads at the site of infection. This dual-action approach targets persistent infections that resist conventional antibiotic treatment.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Chronic bacterial infections often form biofilms—dense, protective matrices that shield bacteria from antibiotics and the immune system. These structures create physical transport barriers, allowing low-activity cells and resistance mechanisms to survive treatment, leading to persistent infections, relapse, and chronic inflammation.
Solution
AURApeutics provides an ultrasound-responsive drug delivery platform that packages antimicrobial payloads inside nanoscale carriers designed to penetrate biofilm environments. When therapeutic ultrasound is applied, the carriers undergo a rapid liquid-to-gas transition, forming transient microbubbles that oscillate and generate mechanical force. This acoustic activation disrupts the protective biofilm matrix while simultaneously releasing the antibiotic near newly exposed bacteria. The approach combines physical disruption with precision drug delivery, enabling established antibiotics to work effectively against otherwise tolerant infections.
Target Audience
Primary customers are biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies developing antimicrobial therapies, as well as clinical researchers focused on chronic infection treatment and biofilm-related disease management.
Features
- Nanoscale, ultrasound-responsive carriers that remain stable until triggered by acoustic activation
- Biofilm-penetrating design that distributes drug payloads through dense extracellular polymeric substance matrices
- Focused ultrasound triggers liquid-to-gas phase transition, creating microbubbles that mechanically disrupt biofilm architecture
- Dual-action mechanism that both opens the protective matrix and releases antibiotic locally at the site of infection
- Platform technology applicable to device-associated infections, chronic wounds, and other biofilm-driven conditions