Amprologix is developing new antibiotics to tackle what the World Health Organisation has said is one of the biggest threats to global health, food security and development – Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

The University of Plymouth spin out’s work is currently focused on developing antibiotics to treat antimicrobial resistant MRSA and related superbugs. Its lead candidate is Epidermicin NI01, part of a new family of antibiotics based on epidermicin. Work on Epidermicin NI01 has been supported by a £1.2 million contract funded by the UK Department of Health and Social Care. Phase 1 human clinical trials are expected to start during early 2021.

The Company has already secured industry involvement. Other shareholders include Ingenza, a leader in industrial biotechnology and synthetic biology.

Epidermicin is derived from bacteria found on human skin. Work to date shows a single dose was as effective as six doses of the current gold standard treatment in a relevant model of MRSA infection.

Amprologix was founded to commercialise the work of Matthew Upton, Professor of Medical Microbiology at the University’s Institute of Translational and Stratified Medicine.