#United States #Staten Island #Acurx Pharmaceuticals #Antibiotic Development #DNA Polymerase IIIC

Acurx Partners with Leiden University for Innovative Antibiotics

Acurx Pharmaceuticals has announced a strategic collaboration with the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) in the Netherlands, aimed at advancing the development of its DNA Polymerase IIIC (pol IIIC) inhibitor antibiotics. This partnership builds upon insights gained from a successful research initiative funded by Health-Holland in November 2025, which delved into the interactions of the antibiotic ibezapolstat with its molecular target, the DNA polymerase IIIC.

The initial outcomes of this research highlighted the unique mechanisms by which ibezapolstat operates, demonstrating its lack of cross-resistance with existing antibiotics and its ability to prevent the emergence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus strains. This makes ibezapolstat a noteworthy contender among anti-Clostridioides difficile (CDI) antibiotics.

The new research endeavor aims to create the first-ever 3D model of the PolC enzyme from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which will be complexed with DNA and Acurx's inhibitor. This cutting-edge development is crucial in the quest to discover new antibiotics that can tackle infections caused by this priority pathogen.

Scientific Collaboration
Dr. Wiep Klaas Smits from LUMC will head the research team, working alongside other noted researchers to explore the differences in the PolC enzymes across various Gram-positive bacteria. This detailed analysis will enhance understanding of how different antibiotics can effectively target these enzymes – a step critical to refining antibiotic development moving forward.

Robert J. DeLuccia, the Executive Chairman of Acurx, emphasized the importance of this research in light of preliminary laboratory experiments indicating that Acurx’s DNA pol IIIC antibiotics maintain systemic antibacterial activity while sparing the gut microbiome. He envisions this as a transformative approach in treating systemic infections like those caused by MRSA, allowing for effective management without the accompanying risks of dysbiosis.

Potential Impact on Antibiotic Therapy
Antimicrobial resistance represents a significant global health crisis, with rising incidences of infections resistant to conventional treatments. The collaboration between Acurx and LUMC aims to contribute crucial advancements in this area, emphasizing the development of antibiotic therapies with novel mechanisms of action targeting DNA replication processes in bacteria. The insights gained from this collaboration could potentially lead to new therapeutic options for serious infections where current antibiotic treatments fail.

Acurx’s antibiotic pipeline focuses on Gram-positive bacteria, leveraging its unique mechanism for inhibiting pol IIIC in bacterial strains. Current research indicates substantial potential for these antibiotics to treat various serious conditions, including Staphylococcus aureus infections that are resistant to commonly available antibiotics, underscoring the urgent need for innovation in this field.

Moving Forward
Acurx remains committed to advancing its lead candidate, ibezapolstat, through to Phase 3 clinical trials, which are set to evaluate its efficacy against CDI while addressing the challenge of antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, the company plans to broaden its research to encompass a wider range of Gram-positive infections, enhancing its ability to respond to severe public health threats posed by antimicrobial resistance.

As this collaboration unfolds, the healthcare community watches closely, hoping for new breakthroughs that can bring renewed hope in the fight against drug-resistant infections. For more updates, visit Acurx Pharmaceuticals’ official website.