A new antibiotic compound known as zosurabalpin shows great promise in early studies against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), a dangerous superbug that causes severe infections and is resistant to many known antibiotics.
Zosurabalpin worked “extremely well” against CRAB in lab tests and mice models, effectively treating highly-resistant contemporary isolates. It represents the first new antibiotic class in over 50 years with activity against the pathogen. The research offers hope of new treatments for deadly drug-resistant infections.
CRAB infections have a mortality rate from 40% to 60% due to limited treatment options. The World Health Organization classifies it as a top-priority critical pathogen requiring urgent new antibiotics. No medications from a new chemical class have reached patients since the 1970s.
Zosurabalpin interferes with CRAB's ability to assemble its protective outer membrane, making it vulnerable. The compound is now advancing to full clinical trials, which will take years to complete. But if successful, it could enable safe surgeries, transplants, and chemotherapy dependent on combating antibiotic resistance.
CRAB infections have a mortality rate from 40% to 60% due to limited treatment options. The World Health Organization classifies it as a top-priority critical pathogen requiring urgent new antibiotics. No medications from a new chemical class have reached patients since the 1970s.
Zosurabalpin interferes with CRAB’s ability to assemble its protective outer membrane, making it vulnerable. The compound is now advancing to full clinical trials, which will take years to complete. But if successful, it could enable safe surgeries, transplants, and chemotherapy dependent on combating antibiotic resistance.
Researchers screened 45,000 molecules to discover zosurabalpin. Besides its immediate usefulness against CRAB, scientists say it could lead to treatments for other stubborn infections. Tackling drug resistance is crucial with over 10 million yearly deaths globally expected by 2050.
The new compound, zosurabalpin, worked “extremely well” in test-tubes and mice, Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership scientific director Prof Laura Piddock said.
The research offered “definite hope” for other hard-to-treat infections, she told BBC Radio 4’s programme.
US researchers focused on finding a new way to treat infections caused by the carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (Crab) bacterium.
