NEW YORK, Jan 4: In the ongoing battle against antibiotic-resistant "superbugs," a promising drug has emerged, demonstrating rare potential in targeting a bacterium responsible for life-threatening infections in hospital patients, according to recent research. The escalation of superbugs poses a significant health threat as antibiotics and other treatments lose effectiveness due to overuse or negligence. Developed by the Swiss pharmaceutical group Roche, the drug, although initially tested on a specific bacterium, shows promise in combatting a broader spectrum of microbes. This breakthrough could catalyze much-needed research investment in the field.

Michael Lobritz, the global head of infectious diseases at Roche Pharma Research & Early Development and co-author alongside experts from Harvard University, shared insights into the drug's innovative approach. While currently undergoing phase 1 clinical trials in humans, the candidate drug, zosurabalpin, targets carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), a bacterium causing severe conditions such as sepsis and pneumonia. CRAB is categorized as a priority concern by the World Health Organization and an urgent threat by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention due to its health risks and the absence of effective treatments for over half a century.

Researchers designed a molecule called a peptide, a fundamental building block of proteins, to weaken CRAB's outer membrane. The peptide achieves this by preventing the pathogen from carrying a lipopolysaccharide chemical, enhancing the membrane's resilience. The emergence of zosurabalpin signifies a potential breakthrough, offering hope for combatting other pathogens resistant to traditional antibiotics and jeopardizing hospital patients. These pathogens fall within the Gram-negative bacteria class, sharing similar outer membrane structures with CRAB.

Morgan Gugger and Prof Paul Hergenrother from the University of Illinois, not directly involved in the research, emphasized the potential of zosurabalpin in addressing a broader Gram-negative pathogen group. This includes pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae, causing blood and lung infections, and Escherichia coli (E-coli), responsible for intestinal and urinary tract illnesses.

Highlighting the drug's highly targeted action, Gugger and Hergenrother noted in a commentary published in Nature that zosurabalpin might be less destructive to beneficial gut bacteria than traditional antibiotics. They also underscored the significance of moving towards bacterium-specific antibiotics, highlighting the role of diagnostics in swiftly identifying specific harmful bacteria in infected individuals. This development marks a pivotal step in the fight against antibiotic resistance and offers promising prospects for the future of infectious disease treatment.