Synthetic Teixobactins: A New Class of Antibiotics against MDR Bacterial Infections

This project will develop a potential new class of antibiotics against clinically relevant multi-drug resistant (MDR) gram positive bacterial infections. The University of Lincoln will synthesise a focused library of teixobactins and evaluate their in vivo efficacy using a unique design and synthesis discovered and patented by the applicant.

The University has pioneered the design of teixobactins with economical building blocks such as leucine, which at just 79p per gram are 2500 times cheaper than those in current use. The team, led by Dr Ishwar Singh, has also developed and patented methods of preparation which are ten times more efficient than standard processes. Many of the University's teixobactins (25) have shown superior or similar in vitro potency against MRSA and VRE compared to natural teixobactin. This project will build upon this important discovery to create and evaluate the efficacy of a commercially viable new molecule.