Serum-Stable Peptide Linkers for Protease-Activated Antibiotic Prodrugs Targeting Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria

Technology Description

This innovative therapeutic platform focuses on serum-stable peptides optimized to selectively cleave in the periplasmic extracts of A. baumannii, a top-priority pathogen identified by WHO. By enabling controlled antibiotic release inside bacterial cells, this technology addresses the critical challenge of developing protease-activated antibiotics that maintain stability in serum while targeting infection sites. Leveraging a novel strategy using substrate phage display, over 200 peptide candidates have been identified, with demonstrated efficacy and improved serum stability. With potential applications for combating multidrug-resistant A. baumannii infections, this breakthrough technology is poised to transform the field of antibiotic development and fulfill urgent global healthcare needs.

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