How Bismocin works

Disarming Bacterial Resistance

Iron is essential for bacterial survival and plays an important role in maintaining the proton motive force that drives energy-dependent antibiotic resistance mechanisms.

Bismuth interferes with iron acquisition by competing with iron for binding to bacterial siderophores, particularly pyoverdine in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This disruption weakens energy-dependent resistance mechanisms, including antibiotic efflux, and restore bacterial susceptibility to existing antibiotics.

Iron-Dependent Antibiotic Potentiation

Increasing iron concentrations counteract the bismuth-associated reduction in azithromycin MIC, supporting the involvement of iron competition in the observed potentiation.

Up to 100% Survival in Preclinical Infection Models

Combining bismuth subcitrate with an antibiotic, here shown with either azithromycin or eravacycline, resulted in 100% survival in these preclinical infection models, compared with substantially lower survival rates for either compound administered alone.

These findings demonstrate the potential of bismuth subcitrate to enhance antibiotic efficacy and improve treatment outcomes against bacterial infections.

Eravacycline (ERV)

CBS = bismuth subcitrate

A Heavy Metal with a Remarkable Safety Profile

Not all heavy metals are created equal.

Bismuth has been used clinically for decades, particularly in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infections. Unlike many other heavy metals, bismuth compounds have a relatively favorable safety profile when administered at appropriate therapeutic doses.

Encouraging Preclinical Safety

Animal studies demonstrated good pulmonary tolerability, with no observed acute toxicity at the tested doses.

Established clinical experience. Targeted delivery. Encouraging preclinical safety.