Acurx and Leiden University Partner to Target MRSA DNA Replication

The partnership focuses on the structural elucidation of the PolC enzyme in complex with DNA and Acurx’s proprietary inhibitors. By visualizing how these molecules interact at the atomic level, researchers hope to refine the rational design of new agents capable of treating high-priority Gram-positive pathogens. This work builds on previous studies, published in Nature Communications, which identified a conserved mode of action for the PolC class of inhibitors.

Lead researchers Wiep Klaas Smits, Meindert Lamers, and Mia Urem will investigate the nuanced differences between PolC variants across various Gram-positive organisms. For Acurx, this structural data is a critical component of its broader effort to move beyond localized treatments, such as its lead candidate ibezapolstat for C. difficile, toward systemic therapies for life-threatening infections like MRSA, pneumonia, and endocarditis. Executive Chairman Robert J. DeLuccia noted that targeting these enzymes without triggering antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis represents a major shift in the current clinical treatment paradigm.