Epidermicin NI01

Epidermicin NI01 is a first-in-class, recombinant class II bacteriocin antibiotic derived from Staphylococcus epidermidis and being developed primarily for topical and intranasal treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other Gram-positive skin and nasal infections. It is a highly cationic, hydrophobic 51–amino acid antimicrobial peptide with broad-spectrum activity against staphylococci (including MRSA), streptococci, enterococci, and biofilm-forming S. epidermidis, exhibiting rapid, potent, nanomolar-range bactericidal effects with minimal cell lysis and low propensity for resistance development.[3][5] Mechanistically, epidermicin NI01 acts as a cell wall-targeting antimicrobial cationic peptide that disrupts Gram-positive bacteria via a novel mode of action classified functionally as a cell wall inhibitor, and has shown efficacy comparable to mupirocin in preclinical nasal MRSA decolonization and in robust skin infection models, with generally favorable local tolerability and low allergic reaction liabilities.[1][5][7] The drug is being advanced by Amprologix, a spin-out from the University of Plymouth and University of Manchester, and remains in preclinical development for MRSA and other Staphylococcus aureus infections, with an intended use as a topical or intranasal therapy for drug-resistant skin and nasal colonization.[2][7][8]

Other names

epidermicin