Early success with a novel mRNA-based therapy designed to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In studies in mice and human lung tissue in the lab, the therapy slowed bacterial growth, strengthened immune cell activity, and reduced lung tissue damage in models of multidrug-resistant pneumonia.

Experimental mRNA Therapy Shows Potential to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Infections

Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and collaborators have reported **early success with a novel mRNA-based therapy designed to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria.**

The findings, published in the November 26 online issue of Nature Biotechnology [DOI: 10.1038/s41587-025-02928-x], show that **in preclinical studies in mice and human lung tissue in the lab, the therapy slowed bacterial growth, strengthened immune cell activity, and reduced lung tissue damage in models of multidrug-resistant pneumonia.**

Antibiotic-resistant infections are a growing global threat, killing more than 1.2 million people each year and contributing to nearly 5 million deaths worldwide. In the United States alone, more than 3 million infections occur annually, causing up to 48,000 deaths and costing billions of dollars in health care. Experts warn that resistance is increasing across nearly all major bacterial species, putting routine surgeries, cancer treatments, and newborn care at risk.

For those interested, here’s the link to the peer reviewed journal article:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-025-02928-x