Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee developed a promising new drug candidate, Compound 3b, designed to restore the effectiveness of antibiotics against deadly, drug-resistant bacteria. The innovation targets KPC-2-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, a superbug ranked among the World Health Organization’s top-priority threats.
Collaborative Research Effort
The research team was led by Prof. Ranjana Pathania from the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Roorkee, along with Dr. Mangal Singh and Perwez Bakht. They worked in collaboration with Prof. Annette Bayer and her team from UiT The Arctic University of Norway (Tromsø). They designed a novel molecule that works with the potent antibiotic Meropenem. It treats infections caused by resistant bacterial strains.
How the Molecule Works
The newly discovered Compound 3b belongs to the class of β-lactamase inhibitor drugs, which block bacterial enzymes from breaking down life-saving antibiotics. By neutralizing the resistance mechanism, the drug enhances the antibiotic’s ability to eliminate stubborn infections.
Strong Preclinical Results and Global Relevance
“This breakthrough offers a promising solution to one of the world’s most urgent health challenges—antimicrobial resistance,” said Prof. Pathania. “Our compound neutralizes the resistance mechanism and shows strong therapeutic results in preclinical models,” Prof. Pathania added. Prof. K. K. Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, emphasized that the discovery reflects the institute’s commitment to developing impactful scientific solutions for global challenges, noting that such research is vital for effective and accessible treatments in the face of rising antibiotic resistance.
Published in a Leading Scientific Journal
The research findings have been published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, highlighting the work’s scientific rigor and international significance. As reported by hindustantimes.com, IIT Roorkee stated that the discovery represents a major advancement in safeguarding public health. It comes at a time when antibiotic resistance poses an escalating threat to healthcare systems worldwide.
