Jinan University Announces $70,000 Technology Transfer of Novel Dual-Phage Therapy Against Avian Pathogenic E. coli

Recently, the University of Jinan issued an announcement stating that it intends to transfer aEscherichia coli bacteriophageThe relevant invention patent has been commercialized, and the patent technology has been transferred to Shenzhen Baizinuo Biotechnology Co., Ltd. through negotiated pricing, with a transaction price ofRMB 500,000. The core content of this transaction isInvention Patent Technologies Related to Escherichia coli Phages GaoM714E, JM3e, and Their Compositions and Preparations, this technology was developed by the University of JinanFan Xiangyu et al.Developed by researchers, this represents a significant innovative achievement in the field of microbiology for the prevention and control of avian colibacillosis.

Image from the official website of University of Jinan

Its core innovation lies inTwo specific Escherichia coli phages, which have been deposited in the China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center (CGMCC), were screened and obtained., the phage combination formed by their compounding can achieve a synergistic bacteriostatic effect, precisely targeting and inhibiting avian pathogenic Escherichia coli. Furthermore, no known antibiotic resistance genes or virulence genes were detected in its genome. This approach overcomes the issue of antibiotic resistance associated with traditional antibiotic prevention and treatment, emerging as a novel green technical solution for the control of avian colibacillosis in the poultry industry.

Avian ColibacillosisIt is an infectious disease in poultry caused by Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), a pathogen belonging toExtraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coliCategory, primarily transmitted via the respiratory tract, can invade poultry such as chickens through various virulence factors including fimbriae, invasins, iron acquisition systems, and the K1 capsule, causing conditions such as perihepatitis, airsacculitis, pericarditis, peritonitis, and salpingitis. In severe cases, it directly leads to poultry mortality and is one of the primary causes of morbidity and mortality in birds, resulting in irreversible economic losses to the global poultry industry, particularly the chicken farming sector, and has become a significant threat to the poultry production industry.

Currently, the clinical prevention and control strategies for avian colibacillosis still rely onAntibiotic UseAs a core practice, poultry farms generally rely on antibiotics for the prevention and treatment of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) infections. However, the widespread use and even misuse of antibiotics have led to the continuous emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant strains. This not only significantly increases the difficulty of clinical management of avian colibacillosis and markedly reduces the efficacy of conventional antibiotic regimens, but also poses potential adverse effects on human health due to antibiotic residues in poultry products and the cross-species transmission of antimicrobial resistance, thereby creating dual hazards for both animal husbandry and public health.

Against this industry backdrop, the poultry sector has an increasingly urgent need for technologies to prevent and control avian colibacillosis that can replace traditional antibiotics, are safe and highly effective, and are less likely to induce drug resistance in pathogenic bacteria. There is a pressing demand for green prevention and control solutions that combine targeted action, safety, and broad-spectrum efficacy, so as to address the industry’s pain point of antibiotic resistance and promote the healthy and sustainable development of poultry farming.

This Escherichia coli phage-related technology serves as a novel green solution for the prevention and control of avian colibacillosis in the poultry industry, offering multiple advantages including strain innovativeness, high bacteriostatic efficacy, application safety, and broad-spectrum usability. Its core innovations are reflected inStrain Screening, Combinatorial Application, and Technology Adaptationacross multiple dimensions, comprehensively overcoming the technical bottlenecks of traditional antibiotic prevention and treatment.

First, the strain screening is innovative and unique., the R&D team screened and isolated from chicken farm sludgeTwo Specific Escherichia coli Phages GaoM714E and JM3eAll strains have been authoritatively deposited with the China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center (CGMCC). Among them, JM3e was identified as a novel Escherichia coli phage through genomic comparative analysis. Furthermore, no known antibiotic resistance genes or virulence genes were detected in the genomes of either phage strain, thereby ensuring biosafety at the source and eliminating the risk of pathogenicity and transmission of antibiotic resistance.

2. Technological Breakthroughs in Synergistic Bacteriostasis Through Combined Applications, two phage strains are formulated into a combination that exerts a synergistic effect in inhibiting pathogenic Escherichia coli, demonstrating superior efficacy compared to single-agent antibacterial approaches. The core technical parameters of the combination have been clearly defined, requiring that the titers of both phage strains be no less than 10⁷ PFU/mL and the multiplicity of infection (MOI) be controlled within the range of 0.001–10 (preferably 0.01–0.1). These standardized parameter settings enhance the practical applicability of the technology. Laboratory experiments have shown that this combination can rapidly kill E. coli O157:H7 within a short period, exhibiting outstanding bacteriostatic performance.

Third, it features a broad antibacterial spectrum with strong target specificity,The bacteriophage formulation demonstrates significant lytic efficacy against avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), efficiently lysing 85.48% of the tested strains. It also exhibits lytic activity against certain pathogenic Salmonella species. This formulation not only provides targeted prevention and treatment of avian colibacillosis but also helps suppress other pathogens in the breeding environment. By specifically infecting pathogenic E. coli without disrupting beneficial microorganisms in the breeding environment, it achieves precise antibacterial action.

Fourth, diverse application scenarios tailored to the needs of the aquaculture industry, phage preparations developed based on phage compositions can incorporate excipients acceptable to the poultry industry, such as dispersants and stabilizers. The dosage forms include solutions, powders, gels, granules, and lyophilized products, among others, to meet diverse application scenarios in farming operations. Meanwhile, this technology is not only applicable for treating diseased poultry but also for spray disinfection of the farming environment. In laboratory environmental decontamination experiments, it can achieve zero residual Escherichia coli, combiningTreatment, Prevention, Environmental PurificationTriple Functionality.

5. Clear clinical efficacy with no risk of drug resistance, in animal clinical trials, the phage composition achieved a protection rate of86.67%, which is far superior to the efficacy of traditional antibiotic therapy. Furthermore, the specific infectivity of bacteriophages prevents the induction of drug resistance in pathogenic bacteria, fundamentally addressing the spread of multidrug-resistant strains caused by antibiotic misuse. This approach also eliminates antibiotic residues in poultry products, thereby balancing economic benefits in aquaculture with food safety.

Furthermore, this technology eliminates the use of antibiotics throughout the entire process, aligning with current industry trends toward green and pollution-free farming. It provides a viable technical solution for the poultry industry to reduce its reliance on traditional antibiotics, offering both economic and social value.

Escherichia coli bacteriophage-based preparations, as a novel green solution for the prevention and control of avian colibacillosis, are ushering in development opportunities driven by policy, market, and technology, with broad market prospects and significant potential.

Imcojan's Ceftiofur InjectionAs the traditional mainstream products for preventing and treating avian colibacillosis in the poultry industry, these products are widely used in large-scale chicken farms and small- to medium-sized poultry farming cooperatives. The primary dosage forms include injections, drinking water additives, and feed-mixing powders, which cater to prevention and treatment needs across different growth stages of poultry. Injections are mostly used for emergency treatment after onset of disease, while soluble powders and powdered formulations are suitable for herd-level prevention or treatment of mild cases, offering high convenience and well-established market recognition. They remain the conventional choice for most farming entities, particularly in regions with lower awareness of drug resistance, where market penetration remains high.

Avian Escherichia coli Single-Phage SolutionThese products are designed to meet the demands of green aquaculture and livestock farming. For instance, Baiguanda Phage Solution is primarily used in farming scenarios sensitive to antibiotic residues, such as organic poultry farms and export-oriented pigeon farms. The product is available mainly in liquid and lyophilized (freeze-dried) formulations. The liquid formulation can be administered directly through drinking water or via spraying, while the lyophilized form facilitates long-term storage and long-distance transportation, accommodating storage conditions for farms of varying scales. Market coverage is concentrated in regions with stringent environmental regulations and a strong emphasis on product quality upgrading. The primary user base consists of large-scale, standardized farming enterprises. Leveraging its core advantages of “no drug resistance and no residues,” the product is gradually expanding its market share.

Amid the tightening global regulatory landscape for food safety and green aquaculture, where antibiotic-free farming has become an industry consensus, bacteriophage-based preparations offer clear growth prospects due to their alignment with policy directives, characterized by the absence of drug resistance and residue. Meanwhile, the pressure to control avian colibacillosis driven by the large-scale development of the poultry industry, coupled with the upgrading consumer demand for antibiotic-free poultry products, has further spurred an urgent need for novel prevention and control technologies.

Technologies represented by the University of Jinan’s dual-phage combination have addressed the limitations of single-phage approaches through innovations such as synergistic bacterial strains, standardized parameters, and diverse formulations. The practical utility of this technology is validated by a 85.48% bacterial lysis rate and an 86.67% clinical protection rate, with applications extendable to other areas including the control of pathogenic bacteria and environmental remediation. Driven by multiple favorable factors, Escherichia coli phage-based preparations are transitioning from supplementary alternatives to antibiotics into core solutions for disease prevention and control in the poultry industry. The market size is poised for continuous expansion, positioning these preparations as a key force driving the green and sustainable development of the animal husbandry sector, thereby delivering both economic and social value.