About Us
The Center for Innovative Phage Applications and Therapeutics (IPATH) is dedicated to advancing the field of bacteriophage therapy for a variety of applications. Our primary focus is on the clinical application of bacteriophages in humans to treat challenging bacterial infections.
At IPATH, we are committed to:
- Providing access to phage therapy: We actively support compassionate use cases, offering phage therapy to patients who do not qualify for traditional clinical trials. This involves working with other institutions to source and utilize appropriate phages.
- Conducting cutting-edge research: Our team possesses expertise in phage discovery, isolation, characterization, and sequencing. We are continuously working to expand our understanding of phage biology and identify novel therapeutic candidates.
- Fostering collaboration: IPATH maintains strong working relationships within UCSD and with external partners, including other academic institutions and industry. We actively seek opportunities for private-public partnerships to further our research and expand access to phage therapy.
- Developing infrastructure: We are exploring the potential for establishing a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) facility to enhance our ability to produce high-quality phage preparations for research and clinical use. We are also looking at utilizing existing GMP facilities at UCSD.
- Exploring diverse applications: While our main focus is human health, we also recognize the potential of phages in non-human applications, including veterinary medicine, aquaculture, and environmental decontamination. We are actively engaging in discussions and collaborations in these areas. For example, we have collaborations related to aquaculture and infections in dogs.
- Educating and training future scientists: IPATH is committed to student involvement, providing opportunities for students to engage in phage-related research and learn about the potential of this innovative field.
Our ultimate goal is to advance phage therapy from research to clinical reality, providing effective and targeted treatments for bacterial infections and contributing to a healthier future. We are working diligently to secure funding and build the necessary infrastructure to achieve this vision.
