In a major advance against the growing threat of antibiotic resistance, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee have created a new drug candidate, named Compound 3b, capable of restoring the potency of a key antibiotic against dangerous, drug-resistant bacteria.
The research team, led by Ranjana Pathania from the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, worked alongside Mangal Singh and Perwez Bakht, in collaboration with Annette Bayer and her group from UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø. Together, they developed a novel molecule that works in combination with the antibiotic Meropenem to combat infections caused by KPC-2-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae a superbug identified by the World Health Organization as a top-priority health threat.
This discovery addresses one of the most pressing health concerns globally antimicrobial resistance, Pathania said. Our compound disables the resistance mechanism and has shown strong therapeutic effects in preclinical trials.
The molecule belongs to the class of β-lactamase inhibitors, which block bacterial enzymes from breaking down vital antibiotics. According to the researchers, Compound 3b is highly targeted, safe for human cells, and works in synergy with Meropenem to eliminate resistant bacteria. Tests in laboratory and animal models demonstrated a significant reduction in lung infections.
