Dr. Kim Lewis, University Distinguished Professor of Biology and Director of Northeastern’s Antimicrobial Discovery Center, is pursuing one of the toughest challenges in medicine: developing new ways to fight persistent bacterial infections without disrupting the body’s natural defenses. Now, through industry translation and support from Northeastern’s Center for Research Innovation (CRI), this research is taking another step toward real-world impact.
Flightpath Biosciences, a clinical-stage biotechnology company spun out from Northeastern and co-founded by Dr. Lewis, has licensed FP530 (Formibactin A)—a rediscovered, precision-targeted antibiotic developed at Northeastern—to advance its development as a novel treatment for complex diseases associated with infections.
This is Flightpath’s second license from Northeastern. You can learn more about their first license here. Facilitated by the CRI, these agreements highlight how academic discoveries can evolve into clinical candidates with the potential to transform patient care.
Rediscovering a Precision Antibiotic with New Potential
FP530, also known as Formibactin A, is a peptide deformylase inhibitor that selectively targets harmful gram-negative bacteria implicated in a wide range of infection-associated diseases. The compound was recently rediscovered and characterized by Dr. Lewis and his team, who saw its potential as part of a new generation of precision antibiotics.
Unlike traditional broad-spectrum antibiotics that often disrupt the body’s microbiome and weaken immune function, FP530 aims to precisely remove harmful bacteria while preserving beneficial microbial communities.
“Flightpath has the unusual opportunity to study this drug with potential for impact in multiple biological compartments to rid the body of underlying pathogenic bacteria, while not destroying the symbiotic flora that is so important to human health,” said Dr. Lewis. “This is different from broad-spectrum antibiotics, which can cause dysbiosis and further compromise the immune system.”
FP530 has demonstrated potent, selective activity against bacterial species such as Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Borrelia burgdorferi, Gardnerella vaginalis, and Helicobacter pylori—pathogens associated with diseases affecting the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and reproductive system. The compound’s oral bioavailability makes it a promising candidate for real-world applications across multiple disease areas.
Translating Research into Real-World Therapies
Flightpath is pioneering a microbiome-sparing approach to treating infection-associated complex diseases through its proprietary Targeted Bacterial Deletion™ platform. The licensing of FP530 is the latest in a series of translational milestones for Flightpath Biosciences.
The company’s goal is to halt or slow the progression of chronic conditions linked to bacterial imbalance before they become irreversible. These include diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, endometriosis, and neuroborreliosis (a neurological manifestation of Lyme disease).
By targeting only the bacteria that drive inflammation and tissue damage, Flightpath’s therapies aim to intervene early within a critical “window of opportunity” and prevent long-term complications. The company describes this as a precision medicine strategy with the potential to improve outcomes, reduce morbidity, and lower healthcare costs.
“We believe that by targeting the bacteria driving the early disease process, within a critical window of opportunity, we can transform treatment and outcomes for patients suffering from a range of complex diseases,” said Matt Tindall, Executive Chairman and CEO of Flightpath Biosciences.
FP530 joins Flightpath’s growing portfolio, which also includes the microbiome-sparing compound lolamicin, licensed earlier this year from the University of Illinois. Together, these assets reflect the company’s expanding role in redefining how bacterial infections are treated and understood.
Advancing Research Impact Through Licensing and Collaboration
Through strategic partnerships, intellectual property management, and licensing support, CRI enables inventors like Dr. Lewis to translate research into clinical and commercial development. This work ensures that promising discoveries, such as FP530, don’t remain confined to academia.
“Agreements like this demonstrate the vital role of university technology transfer in moving promising research from discovery to development,” said Jennifer Boyle-Lynch, Executive Director of CRI. “By facilitating these partnerships, we ensure that faculty innovations can achieve their full potential to address critical healthcare challenges and improve patient outcomes.”
This latest license builds on a legacy of successful collaboration between CRI, Dr. Lewis, and Flightpath Biosciences, demonstrating how university research, when strategically supported, can directly contribute to global health innovation.
To learn more about the Flightpath Biosciences new drug license, read the full press release here. To explore how CRI advances Northeastern research into real-world applications, visit cri.northeastern.edu.