Spexis announces the publication of promising results for a novel class of macrocyclic, peptidomimetic antibiotics in Science Advances

Spexis AG / Key word(s): Scientific publication Spexis announces the publication of promising results for a novel class of macrocyclic, peptidomimetic antibiotics in Science Advances 07.06.2023 / 07:30 CET/CEST

Allschwil, Switzerland, June 6, 2023

Spexis announces the publication of promising results for a novel class of macrocyclic, peptidomimetic antibiotics in Science Advances demonstrating potent in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activity against MDR and XDR Enterobacteriaceae, including carbapenem-resistant and colistin-resistant strains

• Novel antibiotics were developed by Spexis in close collaboration with Professor Oliver Zerbe’s group at the University of Zurich with substantial funding by Innosuisse and CARB-X

Spexis AG (SIX: SPEX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on rare diseases and oncology, today announced the publication of preclinical results from the company’s novel class of macrocyclic, peptidomimetic antibiotics developed in collaboration with the University of Zurich, demonstrating potent in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activity against multidrug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug resistant (XDR) Enterobacteriaceae. The manuscript, titled “Peptidomimetic Antibiotics Disrupt the Lipopolysaccharide Transport Bridge of Drug-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae,” is available online in the international peer-reviewed journal Science Advances at: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adg3683.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a significant threat for both patients and healthcare systems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), bacterial AMR is associated with the deaths of approximately 5 million people worldwide each year. In the United States, more than 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur each year, leading to over 35,000 deaths and an estimated USD 4.6 billion in healthcare costs. On a global scale, the WHO estimates the overall economic burden from the emergence of AMR, including impact on international trade and healthcare expenses, could cost the world economy USD 100 trillion by 2050.