New antibiotic that blocks how Gram-negative bacteria build their outer membrane
Official title: Development of a mechanistically novel Gram-negative antibiotic targeting MsbA-mediated Lipopolysaccharide Biogenesis
Funded at Prokaryotics, INC. · NIH-11222280 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Testing a new IV and oral antibiotic aimed at treating urinary and other infections caused by drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria like CRE.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Prokaryotics, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Union, United States) |
| Project start | November 4, 2022 |
| Project end | October 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $679,600 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI165740-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11222280 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people with urinary tract or related infections caused by Enterobacteriaceae, especially those with ESBL-producing or carbapenem-resistant strains or infections not responding to standard antibiotics.
✕Less likely to help
People with infections caused by organisms unrelated to Enterobacteriaceae (for example MRSA or fungal infections) are unlikely to benefit from this antibiotic approach.
What this research studies
This project is developing small molecules that block MsbA, a protein Gram-negative bacteria use to build their protective outer membrane. Researchers used lab screening to find four distinct chemical series and selected one lead series to optimize as medicines that can be given by IV or taken by mouth for uncomplicated and complicated UTIs caused by Enterobacteriaceae. The work includes chemical optimization, lab testing against resistant bacteria, and safety and efficacy studies in animal models as steps toward human testing. If those steps go well, the team plans to move the best candidates into clinical trials in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could produce a new IV and oral antibiotic active against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections, including CRE, expanding treatment options and reducing severe outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: This is a novel mechanism—no approved antibiotics target MsbA, and prior work with this target has been limited to laboratory and animal studies rather than proven clinical success.
Where this research is happening
-
Prokaryotics, INC.
Union, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roemer, Terry — Prokaryotics, INC.
- Study coordinator: Roemer, Terry
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Developing new antifungal drugs to combat resistant infections
This study is working on new antifungal medicines that target a specific part of certain harmful fungi, like Aspergillus and Candida, to help fight infections, especially as some fungi are becoming harder to treat.
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Creating a new antibiotic to fight superbugs causing severe infections
This study is working on a new antibiotic to help fight tough infections caused by superbugs called Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), which can make urinary tract infections hard to treat, especially when other medicines don’t work anymore.
-
Developing a new antifungal treatment for drug-resistant infections
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.