Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs)

Antimicrobial peptides are a promising answer to growing antibiotic resistance. They act through mechanisms that differ fundamentally from those of classical small molecules, and can therefore sidestep many established resistance pathways — provided they are designed carefully.

Building on long-standing research into membrane proteins and bacterial transporters, we design AMPs that specifically bypass or undermine bacterial efflux pumps — one of the central mechanisms by which bacteria expel classical antibiotics.

Across the design process we optimize multiple axes in parallel: selectivity against relevant pathogens, sparing of host cells, proteolytic stability, formulatability and a favourable resistance-emergence profile.

Typical application areas include AMR programs in human medicine, veterinary applications, topical biotherapeutics and functionalized antimicrobial surfaces or coatings.