LIVE BIOTHERAPEUTIC PRODUCTS AS A MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGICAL STRATEGY AGAINST ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE

Abstract

This article addresses the growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and examines Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBPs) as a modern and sustainable biotechnological strategy to combat it. AMR arises through multiple molecular mechanisms, including efflux pumps, enzymatic drug degradation, biofilm formation, target modification, decreased membrane permeability, and horizontal gene transfer, all of which contribute to the failure of conventional antibiotics and the spread of multidrug-resistant pathogens. LBPs are defined as regulated biological medicinal products that contain live microorganisms and are designed to prevent, treat, or manage diseases. Unlike conventional antibiotics, LBPs act through biological and ecological mechanisms rather than chemical killing, thereby reducing selective pressure for resistance. They inhibit pathogens by competing for nutrients and adhesion sites, producing antimicrobial agents such as bacteriocins, disrupting biofilms, and modulating host immune responses. The article highlights the critical role of biotechnology in LBP development, including genetic engineering, synthetic biology, metagenomic analysis, controlled fermentation, and encapsulation technologies. These tools enable the design of safe, targeted, and effective therapeutic microbes with improved stability and clinical performance. Furthermore, regulatory and safety considerations are addressed, encompassing preclinical studies, clinical trials, and quality control requirements enforced by the FDA and EMA. Major challenges such as biosafety, dosage standardization, and storage stability are also discussed. In conclusion, LBPs represent a promising next-generation approach to AMR by integrating microbiology and precision medicine, expected to play a central role in future global health strategies.