"Revolutionary Antibiotic Emerges to Combat Drug-Resistant Superbugs"

Researchers have developed a new class of antibiotics, tethered macrocyclic peptides (MCPs), targeting the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) transporter in bacteria, specifically inhibiting the LptB2FGC complex. The clinical candidate, zosurabalpin (RG6006), has shown potent activity against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), a critical pathogen with limited treatment options. This novel antibiotic class effectively treats drug-resistant bacterial infections in vitro and in mouse models, representing a significant advancement in combating antibiotic resistance and providing a new treatment option for invasive CRAB infections.