Chemists Find Hidden Antibiotic for Drug-Resistant Bacteria

Chemists from Warwick and Monash Universities discovered a new, potent antibiotic, pre-methylenomycin C lactone, hiding as an intermediate in the natural biosynthesis of methylenomycin A. This compound shows over 100 times greater activity against Gram-positive bacteria, including resistant strains like MRSA and VRE, and may offer a new approach to combat antimicrobial resistance. The next steps involve pre-clinical testing and further development.