Amino acid transition-metal complexes as antimicrobial and
This technology involves creating new chemical compounds by combining transition metals with amino acid-derived molecules to form a specific three-dimensional structure called a 'piano stool complex.' These compounds are designed to kill bacteria — including drug-resistant strains like MRSA — and to attack cancer cells across a wide range of tumor types. The chemistry exploits the metal center's ability to interfere with biological processes that pathogens and cancer cells depend on, offering a potential route around existing resistance mechanisms. The patent covers a broad family of these metal-amino acid compounds with variable components, giving significant structural flexibility for optimization.
What you could build
A pipeline of novel metal-based drug candidates targeting drug-resistant bacterial infections (MRSA, mycobacteria) and multiple cancer types, sold to pharmaceutical companies or biotech licensees as preclinical research compounds or developed into clinical candidates.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia-based pharmaceutical and biotech companies, as well as defense-adjacent infectious disease programs (e.g., USAMRIID at Fort Detrick nearby or DARPA-funded antimicrobial programs), would have interest in novel anti-MRSA and broad-spectrum antimicrobial compounds.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Joseph S. Merola
- Granted
- September 23, 2014
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 8841281
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.