(+1) 88 700 600
310 West 14th North Street, NY

Novel Science;
A Bold Agenda

Viotika’s novel approach to addressing antimicrobial resistance was initially focused on Na+- translocating NADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase (Na+-NQR), a key respiratory enzyme in many microbial pathogens. We have since discovered that NQR is not acting alone, and that there is in fact a dual mode of action showing improvements in bacterial killing and decreased general toxicity.

A dual mode of action antibacterial is consistent with the excellent low potential for resistance measured thus far and would be a major milestone in the battle against AMR.

Our work is currently focused on neisseria gonorrhea and pseudomonas—diseases that are particularly prevalent in Indigenous communities. The World Health Organization has declared neisseria gonorrhea a priority pathogen given its prevalence and growing resistance to conventional antibiotics.

Next steps:

  • Complete the characterization of the new killing mechanism with novel assays.
  • Accelerate demonstration of an in vivo efficacy proof of principle.
  • Target 2026 for development candidate selection and IND-enabling

Related Publications

The following papers shine a light on the foundations of Viotika’s science and its novel platform for addressing the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Inhibitors of a Na+-Pumping NADH-Ubiquinone Oxidoreductase Play Multiple Roles to Block Enzyme Function

Masuya, T.; Sano, Y.; Tanaka, H.; Butler, N. L.; Ito, T.; Tosaki, T.; Morgan, J. E.; Murai, M.; Barquera, B.; Miyoshi, H.
Journal of Biological Chemistry
(2020), 295 (36), 12739–1275
https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.RA120.014229

Development of a novel rationally designed antibiotic to inhibit a nontraditional bacterial target

Dibrov, P.; Dibrov, E.; Maddaford, T.G.; Kenneth, M.;, Nelson, J.; Resch, C.; Pierce, G.N.
Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology (2017), 95, 595–603
https://doi.org/10.1139/cjpp-2016-0505