lipopolysaccharide targeting compounds + BamA targeting compounds

This preclinical-stage antibiotic program, developed by Spexis AG (formerly Polyphor) with support from CARB-X, focuses on chimeric peptidomimetic macrocycles that dual-target both lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the beta-barrel assembly machinery A (BamA). BamA is an essential component of the outer membrane protein assembly complex in Gram-negative bacteria, responsible for the folding and insertion of outer membrane proteins. By binding to both LPS and BamA, these compounds disrupt outer membrane biogenesis and permeabilize the bacterial membrane, resulting in potent bactericidal activity. The program is designed to address multidrug-resistant Gram-negative ESKAPE pathogens, including *Escherichia coli*, *Klebsiella pneumoniae*, *Acinetobacter baumannii*, and *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*. Optimized derivatives from this program have advanced into preclinical toxicology studies.

Other names

LPS and BamA targeting compoundsSpexis LPS/BamA dual-targeting peptidomimeticschimeric peptidomimetic compoundspeptidomimetic macrocycles