Researchers from Harvard University and Hoffmann-La Roche have developed zosurabalpin, a new antibiotic that effectively kills Acinetobacter baumannii. This antibiotic belongs to a new chemical class and has a unique method of action, making it a promising development in the fight against antibiotic resistance.
Targeting Acinetobacter baumannii’s Defenses
Acinetobacter baumannii’s double membranes create a formidable barrier for antibiotics. Zosurabalpin inhibits the growth of Acinetobacter baumannii by preventing the movement of large molecules called lipopolysaccharides to the outer membrane, causing them to accumulate inside the bacterial cell and leading to toxic levels.