PerioTrap is developing novel approaches for gum health. Our research focuses on selectively blocking the disease-causing mechanisms of P. gingivalis rather than relying on non-specific antibacterial killing. We also develop solutions that act where the disease occurs — locally at the gums and in periodontal pockets.
Traditional strategies such as antiseptics or antibiotics act broadly and affect the entire microbiome. PerioTrap® technology takes a different approach:
It targets P. gingivalis as a “keystone” pathogen and specifically blocks its virulence mechanisms by inhibiting a central enzyme (QC-II). This renders the bacterium ineffective without harming beneficial bacteria.
"The decisive advance lies in the selective blocking of pathogenic mechanisms – not in the non-specific destruction of the microbiome."
CSO, PerioTrap Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Blocking QC-II prevents P. gingivalis from correctly activating its gingipain enzymes. These enzymes are essential for tissue damage, invasion, and inflammatory responses.
Through this selective inhibition:
– the pathogenic biofilm is weakened
– inflammatory markers are significantly reduced
– the microbiome remains stable
This mechanism forms the basis for products that can be used daily or professionally.
"We specifically neutralize key pathogens of periodontitis without disturbing the ecological balance. That is what makes this mechanism of action so unique."
Lead Scientist, PerioTrap Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Title: Extrudates of lipophilic tetracycline complexes: A new option for periodontitis therapy.
Authors: Kirchberg, M.; Eick, S.; Buchholz, M.; Kiesow, A;, Sarembe, S.; Mäder, K.
Year of publication: 2019
Journal: International Journal of Pharmaceuticals 572, 118794.
Link: DOI
Title: Controlled release minocycline-lipid-complex extrudates for the therapy of periodontitis with enhanced flexibility.
Authors: Kirchberg, M., Eick, S., Buchholz, M., Rosche, F., Kiesow, A., Sarembe, S., Mäder, K.
Year of publication: 2020
Journal: International Journal of Pharmaceuticals 586, 119578.
Link: DOI
Title: In Vitro Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Minocycline Formulations for Topical Application in Periodontal Therapy.
Authors: Schmid, J.-L., Kirchberg, M., Sarembe, S., Kiesow, A., Sculean, A., Mäder, K., Buchholz, M., Eick, S..
Year of publication: 2020
Journal: Pharmaceutics 12, 352.
Link: DOI
Title: Preclinical Validation of MIN-T: A Novel Controlled-Released Formulation for the Adjunctive Local Application of Minocycline in Periodontitis.
Authors: Benedyk-Machaczka, M., Mydel, P., Mäder, K., Kaminska, M., Taudte, N., Naumann, M., Kleinschmidt, M., Sarembe, S., Kiesow, A., Eick, S., Buchholz, M.
Year of publication: 2024
Journal: Antibiotics 13, 1012.
Link: DOI
Title: Extrudates of lipophilic tetracycline complexes: A new option for periodontitis therapy.
Authors: Kirchberg, M.; Eick, S.; Buchholz, M.; Kiesow, A;, Sarembe, S.; Mäder, K.
Year of publication: 2019
Journal: International Journal of Pharmaceuticals 572, 118794.
Link: DOI
Title: Controlled release minocycline-lipid-complex extrudates for the therapy of periodontitis with enhanced flexibility.
Authors: Kirchberg, M., Eick, S., Buchholz, M., Rosche, F., Kiesow, A., Sarembe, S., Mäder, K.
Year of publication: 2020
Journal: International Journal of Pharmaceuticals 586, 119578.
Link: DOI
Title: In Vitro Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Minocycline Formulations for Topical Application in Periodontal Therapy.
Authors: Schmid, J.-L., Kirchberg, M., Sarembe, S., Kiesow, A., Sculean, A., Mäder, K., Buchholz, M., Eick, S..
Year of publication: 2020
Journal: Pharmaceutics 12, 352.
Link: DOI
Title: Preclinical Validation of MIN-T: A Novel Controlled-Released Formulation for the Adjunctive Local Application of Minocycline in Periodontitis.
Authors: Benedyk-Machaczka, M., Mydel, P., Mäder, K., Kaminska, M., Taudte, N., Naumann, M., Kleinschmidt, M., Sarembe, S., Kiesow, A., Eick, S., Buchholz, M.
Year of publication: 2024
Journal: Antibiotics 13, 1012.
Link: DOI
Title: Effect of a bacterial glutaminyl cyclase inhibitor on multi-species biofilms.
Authors: Eick, Sigrun, Taudte, Nadine, Ramsbeck, Daniel, Magdoń, Anna, Sculean, Anton, Potempa, Jan, Buchholz, Mirko
Year of publication: 2025
Journal: Front. Oral Heal. 6, 1716625.
Link: DOI
Title: Novel small molecule targeting PgQC reduces Porphyromonas gingivalis virulence
Authors: Nadine Taudte, Linda Liebe, Nadine Jänckel, Daniel Ramsbeck, Stephan Schilling, Jan Potempa, Sigrun Eick, Mirko Buchholz
Year of publication: 2026
Journal: Front. Oral Health 7:1716188.
Link: DOI
Title: Tetrahydroimidazo[4,5-c]pyridine-Based Inhibitors of Porphyromonas gingivalis Glutaminyl Cyclase
Authors: Daniel Ramsbeck, Nadine Taudte, Nadine Jänckel, Stefanie Strich, Jens-Ulrich Rahfeld, Mirko Buchholz2
Year of publication: 2021
Journal: Pharmaceuticals 2021, 14(12). 1206.
Link: DOI
Title: Mammalian-like type II glutaminyl cyclases in Porphyromonas gingivalis and other oral pathogenic bacteria as targets for treatment of periodontitis
Authors:
Taudte, Nadine; Linnert, Miriam; Rahfeld, Jens‑Ulrich; Piechotta, Anke; Ramsbeck, Daniel; Buchholz, Mirko; Kolenko, Petr; Parthier, Christoph; Houston, John A.; Veillard, Florian; Eick, Sigrun; Potempa, Jan; Schilling, Stephan; Demuth, Hans‑Ulrich; Stubbs, Matthew T.
Year of publication: 2021
Journal: Journal of Biological Chemistry 296, 100263.
Link: DOI
Title: Effect of a bacterial glutaminyl cyclase inhibitor on multi-species biofilms.
Authors: Eick, Sigrun, Taudte, Nadine, Ramsbeck, Daniel, Magdoń, Anna, Sculean, Anton, Potempa, Jan, Buchholz, Mirko
Year of publication: 2025
Journal: Front. Oral Heal. 6, 1716625.
Link: DOI
Title: Novel small molecule targeting PgQC reduces Porphyromonas gingivalis virulence
Authors: Nadine Taudte, Linda Liebe, Nadine Jänckel, Daniel Ramsbeck, Stephan Schilling, Jan Potempa, Sigrun Eick, Mirko Buchholz
Year of publication: 2026
Journal: Front. Oral Health 7:1716188.
Link: DOI
Title: Tetrahydroimidazo[4,5-c]pyridine-Based Inhibitors of Porphyromonas gingivalis Glutaminyl Cyclase
Authors: Daniel Ramsbeck, Nadine Taudte, Nadine Jänckel, Stefanie Strich, Jens-Ulrich Rahfeld, Mirko Buchholz2
Year of publication: 2021
Journal: Pharmaceuticals 2021, 14(12). 1206.
Link: DOI
Title: Mammalian-like type II glutaminyl cyclases in Porphyromonas gingivalis and other oral pathogenic bacteria as targets for treatment of periodontitis
Authors:
Taudte, Nadine; Linnert, Miriam; Rahfeld, Jens‑Ulrich; Piechotta, Anke; Ramsbeck, Daniel; Buchholz, Mirko; Kolenko, Petr; Parthier, Christoph; Houston, John A.; Veillard, Florian; Eick, Sigrun; Potempa, Jan; Schilling, Stephan; Demuth, Hans‑Ulrich; Stubbs, Matthew T.
Year of publication: 2021
Journal: Journal of Biological Chemistry 296, 100263.
Link: DOI
PerioTrap Pharmaceuticals GmbH
Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Haale (Saale)