Scientists find drugs to kill off the MRSA superbug

Published on Thursday 18 September 2008 22:19

A NEW class of drugs capable of killing the MRSA superbug has been developed by scientists, a study has revealed.

Researchers from Prolysis, a British drug discovery and development company, have found a treatment which could form the basis of new ways to fight the infection, says the journal Science.

The drugs works by selectively blocking the action of a protein called FtsZ, which bacteria need in order to grow.

The drugs can kill a range of bacteria, and tests in the lab have shown it is capable of destroying MRSA.

Lloyd Czaplewski, director of research at Prolysis, said: "By targeting this specific and essential bacterial protein, we have developed a class of drugs with a novel mechanism of action and the potential to treat MRSA and similar infections.

"Partnered with rapid diagnostics, it might also be used to prevent many of these infections in our hospitals and care homes."

It is hoped the drug could be widely used in patients within a few years after further development and clinical trials.

The Wellcome Trust is among those supporting the drug's development.

Ted Bianco, director of technology transfer at the Wellcome Trust, said they were delighted by the progress made in finding a new treatment.

"We have seen just two new classes of antibacterial drugs developed in the last 30 years," he said.