Scientists from Perm National Research Polytechnic University, together with colleagues from SFU, the Institute of Biophysics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the N.D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, have created a new antibacterial compound and encapsulated it in microscopic capsules made of biodegradable polymer. A single injection is enough for the drug to be gradually released over five days in a steady dose, without sharp concentration spikes and without harm to the body.

The development is based on antipyrine derivatives, to which scientists attached active fragments, obtaining a new molecule capable of penetrating the protective membrane of bacterial cells. The compound is active against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida fungus. At the same time, bacteria do not yet have resistance to the new molecule.

A biodegradable polymer, naturally produced by bacteria, was used for drug delivery. It is already used in medicine for self-dissolving sutures and implants, is fully compatible with the body, and breaks down into water and carbon dioxide. The capsules were obtained by spray drying – almost 15% of the mass of each particle was the active substance.

During experiments, scientists found that about a third of the drug is released from the capsules within the first 12 hours – a “shock dose” to suppress the acute phase of the infection. The remaining antibiotic is slowly released over 120 hours, maintaining a therapeutic background without dangerous fluctuations. Tests on muscle cells and red blood cells confirmed the safety of the development.