Bacteriophage therapy : when viruses become medicine

As antibiotic resistance threatens global health, a pioneering Swiss consortium—HEIA-FR, HES-SO Valais, and CHUV Lausanne—is advancing phage therapy as a cutting-edge solution. Bacteriophages, viruses that selectively destroy harmful bacteria, offer a promising alternative when conventional antibiotics fail. The team is developing pharmaceutical-grade phage formulations using innovative methods like freeze-drying for stability and genomic sequencing to ensure safety and efficacy. A world first, the CHUV secured Swissmedic GMP authorization, making it the first academic institution globally to produce therapeutic phages under strict pharmaceutical standards. Currently, their clinical program targets drug-resistant lung infections in cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis patients. With phage therapy gaining momentum, this Swiss-led initiative could redefine modern medicine’s fight against superbugs.