New antibiotics to fight drug-resistant bacteria
Official title: LpxH Inhibitors as Novel Therapeutics Against Multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11101195 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new antibiotics that can help fight tough bacteria that don't respond to regular treatments, especially for patients in hospitals who are dealing with serious infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $747,763 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI189503-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11101195 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, such as those with extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales or carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria or those who do not have antibiotic-resistant infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new antibiotics that target a specific enzyme called LpxH, which is crucial for the survival of certain harmful bacteria. By creating small molecule inhibitors of LpxH, the project aims to combat multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, particularly those that cause serious infections in hospitals. The approach involves using advanced techniques to design and test these inhibitors, with the goal of providing effective treatment options for patients suffering from resistant bacterial infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new antibiotics that effectively treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in developing antibiotics targeting similar pathways, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhou, Pei — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Zhou, Pei
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.