New antibiotic kills drug-resistant bacteria by targeting previously unknown vulnerability

Researchers at McMaster University have discovered a new antibiotic that kills some of the world's most dangerous and drug-resistant bacteria—and does so by targeting a previously unknown vulnerability, opening the door to an entirely new class of treatments. The new compound, called manikomycin, was identified by a team led by McMaster Professor Gerry Wright and has shown early effectiveness against priority pathogens including Salmonella, E. coli, and Klebsiella.