Below you'll find selected publications relating to Epidermicin NI01, our lead antibiotic candidate. Together they represent a growing body of evidence supporting the development of NI01 as a new antibiotic treatment, covering early discovery and characterisation through to the latest in vivo efficacy data.
Peer review is the gold standard for scientific credibility, and means our findings are trusted by independent experts in the field, not just by us. We're committed to publishing our findings openly and to engaging with the wider scientific community as we advance NI01 towards the clinic.
Epidermicin NI01 demonstrates potent in vivo activity in a murine model of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin infection
JAC-AMR, June 2026
This study tested NI01 in mice with MRSA-infected wounds, comparing it to two commonly prescribed antibiotic creams: Bactroban and Fucidin. NI01 matched the efficacy of Bactroban at a lower molar concentration of active ingredient, caused no side effects, and did not drive the development of antibiotic resistance. This is the first in vivo evidence supporting NI01 as a candidate treatment for drug-resistant skin and wound infections.
Epidermicin NI01, a First-in-Class Peptide Antibiotic Candidate, Has Potent Efficacy in a Robust MRSA Wound Infection Model and Low Allergic Reaction Liabilities
Presented at ESCMID Global, 2025
Published in the European Medical Journal following a presentation at ESCMID Global 2025, this highlights NI01 as a first-in-class peptide antibiotic. Alongside the wound infection efficacy data, the data shows that NI01 carries a low risk of causing allergic reactions, an important safety consideration and a positive indicator for its continued development towards clinical use.
Flowering poration - A synergistic multi-mode antibacterial mechanism by a bacteriocin fold
iScience, August 2020
In a collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory, this work investigated the mechanism of action of Epidermicin NI01, demonstrating the method by which it damages bacterial cell membranes through pore formation. NI01 is a member of the four helix bundle (4HB) class of bacteriocins, and this study was able to show how the different pairs of helixes cooperate to damage the membrane in different ways at the same time. This multimodal activity reduces the chance of resistance development, which is a key advantage for novel antimicrobials.
A single dose of epidermicin NI01 is sufficient to eradicate MRSA from the nares of cotton rats
JAC, March 2017
This study showed that a single dose of NI01 was enough to eliminate MRSA from the nasal passages of cotton rats. A single-dose treatment has significant practical advantages, including improved patient compliance and potentially lower treatment costs, making this an important finding for the clinical development of NI01
Synthetic epidermicin NI01 can protect Galleria mellonella larvae from infection with Staphylococcus aureus
JAC, May 2013
Galleria mellonella larvae are often used as a method of testing antimicrobial activity and toxicity of novel compounds in early pre-clincal development. This study was the first demonstration of the low toxicity of NI01 in vivo, and provided key evidence supporting its potency as a treatment for MRSA.
Identification, Characterization, and Recombinant Expression of Epidermicin NI01, a Novel Unmodified Bacteriocin Produced by Staphylococcus epidermidis That Displays Potent Activity against Staphylococci
AAC, March 2012
This paper describes the discovery of Epidermicin NI01 and its potent activity against Staphylococci, including drug-resistant strains. This study first established NI01 as a promising candidate for development as a new antibiotic treatment.
£1.2m SBRI-funded two year R&D project begins, taking our lead compound NI01 through a full pre-clinical ADMET work-up.
2019
Nasal decolonisation: Pre-clinical toxicology
Toxicology studies initiated to screen for potential problems or side effects before human testing can begin.
2020
AI-discovery pipeline: R&D
Studies begin using the ‘deep-fake’ AL algorithm to search for new drug candidates from the epidermicin family.
2021
Skin infections: Proof of concept
In vitro and ex vivo studies to conducted indicate the relevance of epidermicin NI01 in a range of skin infections including impetigo, acnes and chronic wounds. NI01 does not have toxic effects on the immune system in ex-vivo skin, which differentiates it from similar drug candidates.
Epidermicin formulated for delivery to the nose and pre-clinical safety and tolerability studies conducted with no adverse effects seen at the highest doses used.
Bacterial pneumonia: Early-stage R&D
Research commences to examine the feasibility of using epidermicin NI01 to treat bacterial pneumonia with promising data in laboratory assays.
AI-discovery pipeline: R&D
Testing begins for antibiotic candidates from the AI-discovery pipeline.
2023
AI-discovery pipeline: R&D
In late-2023, proof of concept studies will begin with any promising antibiotic candidates from the AI-discovery pipeline.
Bloodstream infections: Early-stage R&D
To investigate the potential for using epidermicin NI01 to treat Staph/Strep bloodstream infections, a preliminary IV study will be carried out.
Target indications will be selected for the lead AI candidates and human clinical trials will start to determine efficacy and safety in those target infections.
Human clinical trials begin to determine efficacy of an inhaled formulation application in treating bacterial pneumonia infections.
Nasal decolonisation: License deal closed
Licensing to pharmaceutical companies begins for use in treating MRSA infections: a potential $200M+ market opportunity.
2027
Bacterial pneumonia: License deal closed
Licensing to pharmaceutical companies begins for use in treating Staph/Strep Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP): an infection affecting 450M+ people globally and presenting a potential $5B+ market opportunity.
2028
Nasal decolonisation: Phase-III clinical study completed
Successful Phase-III studies enable marketing and launch of epidermicin NI01.
Skin infections: Phase-III clinical study
Final human studies carried out before licensing for manufacture.
2029
Bacterial pneumonia: Phase-III clinical study
Final human studies carried out before licensing for manufacture.
