New Antibiotic Class Found for the First Time Since the 90s
A research team from McMaster University has uncovered a promising new molecule that could help tackle the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The discovery, named lariocidin , represents a major step forward in the development of next-generation antibiotics and could play a key role in addressing the global crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
This breakthrough comes at a critical time — it has been nearly three decades since the last entirely new class of antibiotics was introduced to the market. With drug-resistant infections now causing an estimated 4.5 million deaths annually , according to the World Health Organization (WHO) , the need for effective treatments has become more urgent than ever.
The research was led by Dr. Gerry Wright , a professor in McMaster’s Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences and a leading expert in infectious diseases. He and his team have identified lariocidin as a highly potent compound capable of targeting some of the most dangerous and treatment-resistant bacterial strains known today. Their findings were recently published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature .
“We’re running out of options,” Dr. Wright said. “As bacteria continue to evolve and develop resistance to our current drugs, we desperately need new ways to fight them. Lariocidin gives us real hope for the future.”
Antimicrobial resistance has been classified by the WHO as one of the top global public health threats , with common infections becoming increasingly difficult — and sometimes impossible — to treat. Lariocidin’s unique mechanism of action sets it apart from existing antibiotics, making it a strong candidate for future therapeutic use.
In a significant development, Dr. Gerry Wright and postdoctoral researcher Manoj Jangra have uncovered how the newly discovered antibiotic molecule — lariocidin — functions at the molecular level. Holding a 3D-printed model of the compound, the researchers explain how this promising new drug candidate attacks bacteria in a way that sets it apart from existing antibiotics.
Lariocidin belongs to a class of molecules known as lasso peptides , and its mechanism of action is unlike any other known antibiotic. It directly binds to the bacterial ribosome , which is responsible for protein synthesis — essentially shutting down the bacteria’s ability to grow and survive. This novel interaction marks a major scientific breakthrough.
“We’re looking at a completely new molecule with a unique mode of action,” said Dr. Wright. “This is a major step forward in our search for next-generation antibiotics.”
🌱 Discovery Rooted in Nature
The journey to this discovery began with a simple soil sample collected from a backyard in Hamilton, Canada . From this sample, the team isolated a strain of bacteria called Paenibacillus , which was found to produce lariocidin naturally.
To ensure they didn’t miss slower-growing microbes, the researchers cultivated the sample in the lab over the course of a full year. This long-term approach allowed them to identify compounds that might otherwise go unnoticed.
During testing, they realized this new molecule exhibited strong antibacterial activity — even against strains known to resist conventional treatments.
“Once we understood how this molecule kills bacteria, we knew we had something truly special,” said Manoj Jangra .
✅ Why Lariocidin Stands Out
Beyond its innovative method of targeting bacteria, lariocidin shows several promising characteristics:
- No toxicity to human cells
- Resistant to current antibiotic resistance mechanisms
- Effective in animal infection models
These features make it a strong contender for further development into a clinical drug.
⏳ The Long Road to Clinical Use
Despite its potential, bringing lariocidin to market will require significant effort. Researchers are now working on modifying the molecule to improve its stability, potency, and scalability.
Because lariocidin is produced by bacteria that don’t naturally aim to help humans, large-scale production requires complex biochemical engineering.
“The moment of discovery was incredible,” Wright explained. “But now comes the real challenge — optimizing this molecule so it can become an effective treatment for patients.”
🔗 Reference:
“A broad-spectrum lasso peptide antibiotic targeting the bacterial ribosome”
Published in Nature , March 26, 2025
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