This week marks World #Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week and we are truly proud to contribute to the global landscape of antimicrobial resistance research.

Imagine an antibiotic that once saved lives.
And suddenly, it no longer works.
Bacteria evolve.

They begin producing enzymes that neutralize our strongest antibiotics before they can act.
This is antimicrobial resistance — a serious and escalating threat to public health.

But #innovation can change even the most difficult reality.

At NCSR “DEMOKRITOS”​ and the Hellenic Pasteur Institute, a team of researchers has developed a breakthrough technology, now protected under patent EP3714904B1.

What does this technology do?
It uses specially designed molecules (IDACYDs) that deactivate the resistance-conferring metallo-enzymes produced by resistant bacteria — the very enzymes that make last-line antibiotics ineffective.

What does this mean in practice?
Antibiotics that had lost their activity against highly resistant pathogens — including dangerous NDM- and VIM- producing strains — can become effective once again.
It is like giving clinically available antibiotics a second chance.
And giving patients a renewed opportunity for treatment.

Why is this important?
Because at a time when antimicrobial resistance is rising worldwide, innovations like this offer hope for developing stronger and more effective therapies against severe infections.

In simple terms:
This technology provides a new protective “shield” for our antibiotics — and represents a powerful step forward in the global fight against AMR.

With great pride and deep respect, we acknowledge the inventors behind this work:
Konstantina Giannakopoulou, Marco Agnes, Vivi Miriagou, Stathis Kotsakis, Georgios Miliotis.