The novel compounds can be introduced easily into microorganisms such as fungi, Acanthamoeba and free-living Protozoa, thus allowing their detection and identification by fluorescence microscopy.

Miltefosine (MT) is a potent cytotoxic alkylphospholipid, used for the treatment of human and canine leishmaniasis. Fluorescent miltefosine analogs with a borondifluorodipyrromethene fluorescent group have been synthesized and biologically assayed. The fluorescent group is highly photostable and emits light in the visible range. The compounds can be potentially applied directly onto the eye as eyewash for their in situ detection, in order to speed up and improve ocular diseases diagnostics, as fungal or amebal keratitis. They also can be used to identify the presence of microorganisms in biological fluids or tissues such as corneal epithelial scrapings, corneal transplants or contact lenses preservation media.

Key features

• These fluorescent compounds offer quicker, simpler and cheaper diagnostic procedures than previously developed methods.
• They allow the early diagnostics of ocular infections by microorganisms.
• The fluorescent group is highly photostable and emits light in the visible range.
• The compounds can be potentially applied directly onto the eye.
• They can be used to analylze biological fluids or tissues: corneal epithelial scrapings, corneal transplants, contact lenses preservation media, etc.

Priority patent application filed

A patent license agreement with a company able to manufacture and market the product is sought.