NovoBiotic Pharmaceuticals has developed clovibactin, a novel antibiotic representing a new class of antibacterials.  The active component is produced by a soil bacterium previously regarded as unculturable. Under the direction of Dr. Kim Lewis, at Northeastern University, the active component of the novel antibiotic was identified using advanced technology including nuclear magnetic resonance and atomic force microscopy.

Clovibactin inhibits the synthesis of cell walls of bacteria through encapsulating pyrophosphate, a precursor of peptidoglycan. This mode of action presumes that bacteria will not readily develop resistance against clovibactin.

It will be some time before clovibactin is available for commercial use and since it will be critical to treat patients with drug-resistant Gram-positive pathogens, the antibiotic will be reserved for human use.