Evolved enzymes produce tuberculosis antibiotic ingredient to reduce manufacturing waste

Tuberculosis, a contagious bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs, presents significant challenges in low- and middle-income nations where more than 80% of cases occur. In these regions, the rise of drug-resistant strains and the financial burden of medications complicate treatment efforts. Although a new class of antibiotics has demonstrated promise against multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant TB, the high manufacturing costs associated with these drugs remain a major barrier to access in the poorer countries that require them most.

The development of evolved enzymes capable of building the tuberculosis antibiotic ingredient in the desired form offers a potential solution to this manufacturing hurdle. By optimizing the production process, this approach could reduce waste and lower costs, thereby improving the availability of these critical treatments for populations in low- and middle-income nations.