MAK181

**MAK181** is an oral, first-in-class small molecule inhibitor of LpxC (UDP-3-O-[3-hydroxymyristoyl] N-acetylglucosamine deacetylase), a zinc-dependent enzyme essential for lipid A biosynthesis in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. By inhibiting LpxC, MAK181 disrupts bacterial cell membrane formation, providing bactericidal activity specifically against **Pseudomonas** species, including multidrug-resistant strains, addressing critical unmet needs in antibiotic resistance. Originally developed by Novartis as part of its infectious diseases portfolio, it was licensed to Boston Pharmaceuticals to advance its clinical development for serious Pseudomonas infections.