Bacteriophage therapy, once a cornerstone of military medicine, is experiencing a resurgence as a promising solution to antibiotic-resistant infections. Prof. Dr. Christian Willy, a leading figure in this revival, will present his insights at the upcoming 8th World Conference on Targeting Phage Therapy, scheduled for June 10-11, 2025, in Berlin.
Dr. Willy’s presentation, titled “Bacteriophage Therapy: A Renaissance – From Military Medicine to Civilian Healthcare,” will explore the historical use of phages, their decline with the advent of antibiotics, and their modern resurgence. He will highlight NATO and Bundeswehr-led initiatives, including the PhagoFlow project, which have demonstrated phage therapy’s efficacy in treating infected combat wounds. These military applications have paved the way for civilian use, particularly in addressing chronic, multidrug-resistant infections in septic and reconstructive surgeries.
Since 2016, Dr. Willy has been at the forefront of phage therapy in Germany, leading the first treatment using Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-grade phages and serving as the consortium lead of the PhagoFlow project since 2018. His role as Co-Chairman of the NATO Research Task Group on reintroducing phage therapy in military medical settings underscores his commitment to this field.
