Polypeptoid antimicrobial polymers with broad-spectrum biocide activity
Synthetic polypeptoid polymers that mimic antimicrobial peptides to combat Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and viruses through cell and membrane disruption. The modulative design enables an infinite variety of compounds tunable via cationic-to-hydrophobic residue ratios.
Overview
Polypeptoids are polymeric analogues of antimicrobial peptides designed to address the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance. These synthetic compounds exhibit broad-spectrum biocide activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and viruses by disrupting microbial cell membranes. Their mechanism of action—physical membrane disruption—reduces the likelihood of resistance development compared to traditional antibiotics.
The core innovation lies in a fully synthetic, modulative design platform that enables the generation of a virtually infinite variety of compounds. Activity is principally governed by the ratio between cationic and hydrophobic residues, allowing fine-tuned optimization of efficacy, selectivity, and safety profiles for diverse applications in human, animal, and dermocosmetic health.
Technical specifications
Synthesis approach:
- Two-step process combining ring-opening polymerization and subsequent addition of synthetic polymer units
- Enables modular, tunable polymer architectures
- Cationic-to-hydrophobic amino acid ratio serves as the principal design parameter for activity optimization
Key features:
- Broad-spectrum antimicrobial efficacy across bacteria, fungi, and viruses
- Membrane-disrupting mechanism of action
- Fully synthetic production pathway supporting scalability and reproducibility
- Flexible molecular design enabling customization for specific use cases
Technology readiness level
The technology is positioned at an early-to-mid stage of preclinical development. Vibiosphen, a specialized infectious disease CRO, is equipped to support further validation through its catalogue of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological models, including custom mouse models and organoids. The platform is available for collaborative preclinical evaluation, efficacy testing, and safety assessment to advance candidate compounds toward therapeutic or commercial applications.
About Vibiosophen
Vibiosphen is a biotechnology contract research organization (CRO) founded in 2014 and based in Labège, France. The company specializes in the field of infectious diseases, leveraging microbiology to develop preclinical solutions for human, animal, and dermocosmetic health. Their core capabilities include the design and execution of in vitro and in vivo efficacy testing, safety assessments, and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies. The company utilizes a broad catalogue of predictive pharmacological models, including standard and custom-made mouse experimental models and organoids, to assist in the development of new therapies such as antibiotics, peptides, biologics, and bacteriophages.
By focusing on the critical challenge of antimicrobial resistance and the development of anti-infective therapies, Vibiosphen supports healthcare and biotechnology partners in navigating the drug development pipeline. The company’s integrated approach enables the validation of innovative molecules for treating various infections, including pneumonia, septicemia, urinary tract, gastrointestinal, and skin infections. Their services are designed to help researchers and pharmaceutical companies optimize preclinical validation, reduce the time to market for novel therapeutics, and discover new strategies to address the global need for safer and more effective health solutions.
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