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Invention Summary:
Antibiotic resistance remains a global health challenge with millions of related deaths each year. Gram-positive bacterial infections, like those caused by Staphylococcus aureus, are likely to acquire and develop resistance to clinically available antibiotics. Therefore, it is crucial to identify and develop novel antibiotics with unique mechanisms of action that are effective against these pathogens.
Using a novel approach, Rutgers researchers, in collaboration with NIH researchers, have identified a compound (MGC-10) that targets gram-positive bacteria. The approach involves targeting the elongation factor Tu and tRNA complex to prevent protein synthesis and cause arrest of bacterial growth. There are currently no antibiotics in clinical use that inhibit this step in bacterial protein synthesis, making it an interesting target for antibiotic resistant infections. Topical treatment with MGC-10 of S. aureus-induced dermonecrosis in a mouse model significantly reduces the area of dermonecrosis and performs similarly to mupirocin, a standard of care topical ointment to treat gram-positive infections. These findings could lead to an effective antibiotic against resistant gram-positive infections. All 30 tested MRSA strains were sensitive in vitro to MGC-10.
Market Applications:
- Topical antibiotic treatment for resistant gram-positive bacterial infections at 3-12 µM range, especially for MRSA infections.
Advantages:
- Unique mechanism of action allows for targeting acquired resistance of other antibiotics.
- Efficacy at reducing dermonecrosis is comparable to current state of art topical treatments.
Publications:
- Mandecki W, et al. 2025. Identification of an antibiotic from an HTS targeting EF-Tu:tRNA interaction: a prospective topical treatment for MRSA skin infections. Appl Environ Microbiol 91:e02046-24. https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.02046-24
Intellectual Property & Development Status: US Patent pending. Available for licensing and/or research collaboration. For any business development and other collaborative partnerships, contact: marketingbd@research.rutgers.edu
