Groundbreaking Antibiotic Developed by US Scientists Targets Drug-Resistant Superbug
New York, Jan 4: A team of US scientists has achieved a major breakthrough in combating antibiotic-resistant superbugs with the development of a novel antibiotic called zosurabalpin. Known for its effectiveness against drug-resistant strains of Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (Crab), which is responsible for severe infections such as sepsis and pneumonia, the antibiotic showed promising results in both laboratory tests and mouse models of infection.
Two studies published in the journal Nature highlighted the potential of zosurabalpin in treating highly drug-resistant isolates of Crab, addressing a critical need as Crab is categorized as a priority 1 critical pathogen by the World Health Organization. The new antibiotic inhibits the growth of Acinetobacter baumannii by disrupting the movement of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a large molecule resistant to penetration by many antibiotics, to the outer membrane of the bacteria. This disruption leads to toxic accumulation within the bacterial cell, resulting in cell death.
Crucially, zosurabalpin exhibited efficacy against over 100 clinical samples of Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, showcasing its potential as a groundbreaking solution. The antibiotic successfully overcame existing resistance mechanisms in mouse models of pneumonia and sepsis, and is currently undergoing human trials.
Kenneth Bradley, Global Head of Infectious Disease Discovery at Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, expressed optimism about zosurabalpin, stating, “It represents a promising treatment paradigm for patients with invasive infections due to CRAB, for whom current treatment options are inadequate.”
Michael Lobritz, Global Head of Infectious Diseases at Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, emphasized the importance of developing antibiotics against high-priority bacteria and highlighted the novel development paths facilitated by regulatory guidelines.
This development comes as antibiotic resistance poses a significant global health threat, and the research marks a critical step towards addressing the urgent need for effective treatments against drug-resistant pathogens.
