Our Technology & Science

In direct response to the unmet medical need caused by the emergence of superbugs, SuperTrans Medical is developing novel antibiotics through the use of its unique permeator technology. Thanks to intelligent repurposing, this permeator unit can be easily attached (conjugated) to existing FDA-approved antibiotics, resulting in a revitalised antibiotic with superior anti-microbial properties (see figure below).

Gram-negative bacteria, in particular drug-resistant types, are protected by an outer membrane (envelope), which is difficult to penetrate (1). The permeator part of the antibiotic conjugate acts as a molecular “corkscrew” and permits improved docking of the revitalised drug molecule to the outer bacterial membrane (2). This leads to effective breaching and delivery of the antibiotic cargo to target sites within the superbug, with a concomitant rapid killing effect (3).

The unique features of STM’s permeator technology are evidenced by significantly improved capabilities of our revitalised antibiotics in eradicating biofilms and multi-drug resistant pathogens, including Gram-negative bacteria. Safe and effective eradication of E. coli has already been demonstrated in various models of infection.                                                                               

SuperTrans Medical has also identified a number of promising candidates which target Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, including 3rd-generation Cephalosporin and Carbapenem-resistant strains.

For additional reading on the in vivo targeting of E. coli by one of our candidate molecules, please follow this link: Neville & Rendell et al Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 2021, 65, e02416-20.

Additionally, two previous publications describe the technology and its application in the targeting of MRSA and E. coli (Cegelski & Wender et al ACS Chem. Biol. 2019, 14, 2065; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2018, 140, 16140).