Novel Antibiotic from a Costa Rican Fungus
Small-molecule antibiotic with activity against commonly drug-resistant species
Background
Antibiotic-resistant microbes have become a global problem, with an estimated 48,000 deaths attributed to resistant microbes in the U.S. and Europe alone. The constant threat of the development of resistance has led to more conservative prescribing practices, sometimes leaving patients untreated and allowing the further spread of potentially deadly diseases. This, along with the slow discovery and development of new classes of antibiotics, has created a healthcare problem and a need for new antibiotics.
Technology Overview
A group of researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital have discovered a novel small-molecule antibiotic with activity against commonly drug-resistant species. The search began by screening a natural products library of 49,000 Costa Rican microbial extracts in an assay they developed to assess inhibition of the phosphoenolpyruvate transfer system (PTS). Of 49 potential hits, a single lead was identified to be a true inhibitor of the PTS. This lead crude extract was fractionated and subjected to column purification, with three small molecules purified from the extract. The single purified small-molecule species was found to be bactericidal; this compound was found to be active against MRSA, V. cholerae, and M. tuberculosis. The novel antibiotic, which they named Mirandamycin, has the potential to become a novel front-line therapy in the fight against resistance.
Further Details:
Benefits
- Novel class of antibiotic.
- Next-line therapy to treat refractory infections.
Applications
For use as an antibiotic, particularly to treat drug-resistant bacterial infections.
Patents
- U.S. Patent Issued, No. 9,359,275 B2
IP Status
