Developing a new oral treatment for drug-resistant bacterial infections

Development of a PO-administered beta-lactam-tarocin combination agent to treat methicillin susceptible and methicillin resistant Staphylococci

NIH-funded research Prokaryotics, INC. · NIH-10873184

This study is testing a new oral medication that combines innovative compounds with traditional antibiotics to help treat stubborn infections caused by certain bacteria, making it easier and safer for patients to get the care they need.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionProkaryotics, INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Union, United States)
Project IDNIH-10873184 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on creating a new combination medication that can be taken orally to treat infections caused by methicillin-susceptible and resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The approach aims to combine a novel class of compounds called tarocins with traditional beta-lactam antibiotics to enhance their effectiveness against these resistant bacteria. By addressing the limitations of current treatments, which often require intravenous administration or have significant side effects, this research seeks to provide a safer and more accessible option for patients. The study is particularly relevant given the rising incidence of these infections linked to the opioid crisis.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with infections caused by methicillin-susceptible or resistant Staphylococcus species.

Not a fit: Patients with infections caused by bacteria other than Staphylococcus aureus or Staphylococcus epidermidis may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new oral treatment option for patients suffering from serious bacterial infections, improving their recovery and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in developing new antibiotic combinations, but this specific approach using tarocins is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Union, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Bacterial Infections
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.