AI-Powered Breakthrough: Discovery of New Antibiotic 'Abaucin' to Combat Drug-Resistant Bacteria

In May 2023, researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and McMaster University announced the discovery of abaucin, a novel antibiotic identified using artificial intelligence (AI). This breakthrough offers a promising avenue in the fight against drug-resistant bacterial infections, particularly those caused by Acinetobacter baumannii.

Acinetobacter baumannii is a Gram-negative bacterium notorious for its resistance to multiple antibiotics. It is a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections, including bloodstream infections, pneumonia, meningitis, and wound infections. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified A. baumannii as a "critical" priority pathogen due to its high mortality rate and limited treatment options.

The research team employed a machine-learning algorithm to screen a library of approximately 7,500 potential drug compounds. The AI model was trained to predict which chemical structures would inhibit the growth of A. baumannii. Through this process, abaucin emerged as a promising candidate.

Subsequent laboratory experiments demonstrated that abaucin effectively kills A. baumannii by interfering with lipoprotein trafficking, a process essential for bacterial survival. Notably, abaucin exhibited a narrow spectrum of activity, targeting A. baumannii specifically while sparing other bacteria. This selectivity is advantageous in reducing the risk of developing widespread antibiotic resistance.

James Collins, the Termeer Professor of Medical Engineering and Science at MIT, stated, "This finding further supports the premise that AI can significantly accelerate and expand our search for novel antibiotics."

The identification of abaucin underscores the potential of AI in expediting the discovery of novel antibiotics, offering a faster and more cost-effective approach to combating drug-resistant pathogens.

The discovery of abaucin is part of a broader trend of utilizing AI in drug discovery. For instance, in March 2024, researchers at Stanford Medicine and McMaster University developed a generative AI model named SyntheMol, which created structures and chemical recipes for six novel drugs aimed at killing resistant strains of A. baumannii.

Additionally, in May 2025, Roche announced plans to advance its new antibiotic, zosurabalpin, into phase 3 clinical trials following promising early results against drug-resistant Acinetobacter. This would mark the first new class of antibiotic against Gram-negative bacteria in over five decades.

The discovery of abaucin through AI-driven methodologies represents a significant milestone in the fight against antibiotic-resistant infections. It exemplifies the synergy between technology and biomedical research, paving the way for future innovations in drug discovery and offering renewed hope in addressing the global challenge of superbugs.