IP2-D4

IP2-D4 is an engineered antimicrobial peptide (AMP) developed through a rational two-round modification of a natural parent peptide (such as indolicidin) to target multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria. It exhibits potent activity against clinically challenging pathogens, including *Pseudomonas aeruginosa* and *Acinetobacter baumannii*. The peptide's mechanism of action involves the selective targeting and destruction of the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane, leading to rapid cell lysis. Structurally optimized with D-amino acid substitutions, IP2-D4 demonstrates significantly improved serum stability and reduced hemolytic activity compared to its parent compounds. Preclinical studies have shown its efficacy as a topical agent for treating skin wound infections and its ability to eradicate biofilms and persister cells in catheter-associated infection models, while maintaining a low propensity for inducing bacterial resistance.