GSK publishes images of new antibiotic targeting resistant bacteria

London – GSK plc has published detailed images illustrating the mechanism of a new experimental antibiotic compound that can kill bacteria resistant to current treatments. The research, published in the journal Nature, focuses on the compound GSK 299423 and its potential to address the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance.

Using X-ray crystallography, researchers captured images of the compound binding to bacterial topoisomerase, an enzyme crucial for bacterial reproduction. While older antibiotics, such as quinolones, have targeted this enzyme since the 1960s, bacteria are increasingly developing resistance. The GSK study indicates that GSK 299423 binds to the enzyme in a different location than quinolones, making it effective against resistant strains.

The research was conducted in collaboration with the Wellcome Trust and the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). The compound has shown potency against various resistant bacterial strains, including Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and gram-negative bacteria like E. coli and Pseudomonas.

Antibiotic resistance is a significant global health threat, leading to prolonged illnesses and increased mortality. The difficulty in treating infections caused by gram-negative bacteria, which often cause hospital-acquired infections, is particularly concerning. GSK's research aims to contribute to the development of new therapeutic options to combat these challenges.