{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"113969","rtpr_id":"nPn4sjLyqa","ticker":"ACXP","exchange":"NASDAQ","all_tickers":["ACXP"],"title":"Acurx Announces Scientific Partnership with Leiden University Medical Center to Advance Development of Acurx's DNA Polymerase IIIC Inhibitor Antibiotics","author":"PR Newswire","published_at":"2026-08-10T12:01:00.044Z","article_body":"Acurx Announces Scientific Partnership with Leiden University Medical Center to Advance Development of Acurx's DNA Polymerase IIIC Inhibitor Antibiotics\n\nPR Newswire\n\nSTATEN ISLAND, N.Y., Aug. 10, 2026\n\n * This new partnership builds on the previously reported successful results from\nthe innovative research grant received in November 2025 from Health-Holland to\nLeiden University and Acurx\n * This prior work included high-resolution elucidation of the interaction of\nibezapolstat with its molecular target, DNA polymerase IIIC (pol IIIC, also\nknown as PolC), with mechanistic findings that explain its properties of\nlacking cross-resistance with other antibiotics and not fostering the\nemergence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus strains, a unique\ndifferentiation among anti-CDI antibiotics\n * The new research partnership aims to generate the first-ever 3D structure of\nPolC from\nmethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in complex with DNA\nand an Acurx inhibitor to advance discovery of new antibiotics to treat\ninfections caused by this high-priority pathogen\n * This partnership will extend mechanistic research into PolC inhibition to\naccelerate the development of novel agents for the systemic treatment\nof infections caused by a range of Gram-positive pathogens resistant to\ncurrently available antibiotics\nSTATEN ISLAND, N.Y., Aug. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.\n(Nasdaq: ACXP) (\"Acurx\" or the \"Company\"), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical\ncompany developing a new class of antibiotics for difficult-to-treat bacterial\ninfections, today announced a new scientific partnership with Leiden\nUniversity Medical Center (LUMC) in the Netherlands.\n\nPrior work under the November 2025 research grant from Health-Holland to\nLeiden University Medical Center and Acurx for DNA pol IIIC Inhibitors\nincluded detailed three-dimensional structures for three poI IIIC complexes\nfrom Enterococcus and was published in Nature Communications in 2025 [A unique\ninhibitor conformation selectively targets the DNA polymerase PolC of\nGram-positive priority pathogens]* [https://rdcu.be/fxMVQ\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4748149-1&h=789943748&u=https%3A%2F%2Frdcu.be%2FfxMVQ&a=https%3A%2F%2Frdcu.be%2FfxMVQ)\n]. These results have yielded valuable insights into the structure-function\nrelationship for the PolC class of inhibitors. This new partnership aims to\ngenerate the first-ever 3D structure of PolC from MRSA in complex with DNA\nand an Acurx inhibitor to advance discovery of new antibiotics to treat this\nhigh-priority clinical pathogen. This new partnership will extend mechanistic\nresearch into PolC inhibition to accelerate the development of novel new\nagents that are systemically active against a range of Gram-positive pathogens\nresistant to currently available antibiotics.\n\nWiep Klaas Smits, PhD, Associate Professor, LUMC Department of Medical Microbiology will be the lead researcher in collaboration with Meindert Lamers, PhD, Associate Professor, LUMC Department of Cell\nand Chemical Biology and Mia Urem, PhD, from Leiden University Medical Center\nin the Netherlands.\nDr. Smits stated: \"Whereas the previous work established a conserved mode of\naction for this novel class of antibiotics, the new project will allow us to\ninvestigate more subtle differences between PolC's from different\nGram-positive organisms and will improve our understanding of how these\ndifferent novel antibiotics interact with their target beyond their inhibitory\ngroup.\"\n\nRobert J. DeLuccia, Executive Chairman of Acurx, stated: \"This work is very\nimportant, when coupled with the recently reported initial data from\nlaboratory experiments in MRSA-infected neutropenic mice at the University of\nHouston School of Pharmacy demonstrating that Acurx DNA pol IIIC antibiotics\nshowed favorable gut-sparing effects to be a class effect while maintaining\nsystemic antibacterial activity . It will pave the way for further rational\ndesign of novel DNA pol IIIC inhibitors based on new structure-activity\nrelationships.\"  He further stated: \"Treating systemic infections, like those\ncaused by MRSA, without promoting antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis has the\npotential for a transformational shift in the treatment paradigm for\nantibacterial therapy.\"\n\nThe scientific poster presented at ESCMID Global in April 2026 is available on\nour website: www.acurxpharma.com\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4748149-1&h=2741695334&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.acurxpharma.com%2F&a=www.acurxpharma.com)\n\nAcurx's portfolio of preclinical compounds includes clinical applications for\ninfections caused by MRSA such as: ABSSI, Hospital Acquired and Ventilator\nAcquired Bacterial Pneumonia, bacteremia with or without sepsis and/or\nendocarditis, bone and joint and diabetic foot infections. Additionally, Acurx\nintends to leverage its preclinical development program for S.aureus\ninfections for the treatment of post-exposure inhalational anthrax caused\nby B. anthracis, a Bioterrorism Category A Threat-Level\npathogen. Acurx's DNA PolC inhibitor preclinical product candidates are FDA\nQIDP and Fast-Track eligible and target Gram-positive infections classified as\nSerious Threat priorities by CDC.\n\nAbout the Prior Research Project, Leiden University Medical Center, the\nResearch Consortium and the New Scientific Partnership between LUMC and Acurx\nAntimicrobial resistant microorganisms are a major threat to global health and\npose a significant economic burden. Increasing resistance to multiple agents\nand resistance to so called last-resort antibiotics underscore the necessity\nto develop therapeutics that have a novel mode of action. DNA replication is a\nprocess that can be successfully targeted by small molecules. Ibezapolstat, an\ninhibitor of the replicative DNA polymerase pol IIIC from Gram- positive\nbacteria identified by screening library of dGTP analogues, has shown\npromising results for the treatment of Clostridioides difficile Infection in a\nrecently completed Phase 2 clinical trial and is ready to enter Phase 3\nclinical trials. Prior work under the November 2025 research grant from\nHealth-Holland to Leiden University Medical Center and Acurx for DNA pol IIIC\nInhibitors included detailed three-dimensional structures for three poI IIIC\ncomplexes from Enterococcus and was published in Nature Communications [A\nunique inhibitor conformation selectively targets the DNA polymerase PolC of\nGram-positive priority pathogens] [https://rdcu.be/fxMVQ\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4748149-1&h=789943748&u=https%3A%2F%2Frdcu.be%2FfxMVQ&a=https%3A%2F%2Frdcu.be%2FfxMVQ)\n]. These results have yielded valuable insights into the structure-function\nrelationship for the PolC (pol IIIC) class of inhibitors. This new partnership\nbuilds on the previously reported successful results from the innovative\nresearch grant received in November 2025 from Health-Holland to Leiden\nUniversity and Acurx. The partnership aims to generate the first-ever 3D\nstructure of Pol C from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in\ncomplex with DNA and an Acurx inhibitor to advance discovery of new compounds\nto treat this high-priority clinical pathogen. This new partnership will\nextend mechanistic research into pol IIIC inhibition to accelerate the\ndevelopment of novel new agents that are systemically active against a range\nof Gram-positive pathogens resistant to currently available antibiotics.\n\nLeiden University was the first university to be established in the\nNetherlands. Its motto is praesidium libertatis – bastion of freedom. The\nUniversity wishes to create an increasingly attractive and challenging working\nclimate for top academics and young researchers that is guided by quality and\nexcellence. Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) research aims to meet the\nhighest international standards of quality and academic integrity. LUMC\npromotes excellent research through greater collaboration, both disciplinary\nand interdisciplinary; stronger positioning and greater scope for top talent;\nand better supervision and more support for young researchers.\n\nAbout Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.\nAcurx Pharmaceuticals is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on\ndeveloping a new class of small molecule antibiotics for difficult-to-treat\nbacterial infections. The Company's approach is to develop antibiotic\ncandidates with a Gram-positive selective spectrum (GPSS®) that blocks the\nactive site of the Gram+ specific bacterial enzyme DNA polymerase IIIC (pol\nIIIC), inhibiting DNA replication and leading to Gram-positive bacterial cell\ndeath. Its R&D pipeline includes antibiotic product candidates that target\nGram-positive bacteria, including Clostridioides difficile, methicillin-\nresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin resistant Enterococcus\n(VRE), drug- resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (DRSP) and B. anthracis\n(anthrax; a Bioterrorism Category A Threat-Level pathogen).\n\nAcurx's lead product candidate, ibezapolstat, for the treatment of C.\ndifficile Infection (CDI) is Phase 3 ready to advance to international\nclinical trials subject to obtaining appropriate financing. Acurx has received\nFDA guidance in meeting minutes from a July 13, 2026 Type C Meeting to discuss\nibezapolstat's (IBZ) Phase 3 clinical program, including the potential to\nsubmit an NDA (New Drug Application) based on a single Phase 3 trial and a\nclinical trial design intended to support indications for both treatment and\nreduction of recurrence of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). FDA\nstated that it is open to further discussion on the totality of evidence from\nthe clinical development program at a pre-NDA meeting after completion of a\nsingle Phase 3 trial and any other clinical trials conducted prior to the\npre-NDA meeting, particularly if the clinical efficacy results are robust.\nAdditionally, the Agency agreed that a successful clinical outcome from a\nsingle IBZ-ASPIRE Phase 3 trial, supported by the open-label IBZ-PATHFINDER\nPhase 2 trial in multiply-recurrent CDI (rCDI) will allow NDA filing for both\nthe acute treatment and the reduction of recurrence of CDI.\nTrial start-up activities for the IBZ-PATHFINDER ground-breaking clinical\ntrial in patients with rCDI have been initiated with patient enrollment to\nbegin in the next few months.\n\nThe Company's preclinical pipeline includes development of an oral product\ncandidate for treatment of ABSSSI (Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure\nInfections), upon which a development program for treatment of inhaled anthrax\nis being planned in parallel.\n\nTo learn more about Acurx Pharmaceuticals and its product pipeline, please\nvisit www.acurxpharma.com\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4748149-1&h=2741695334&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.acurxpharma.com%2F&a=www.acurxpharma.com)\n.\n\nAbout MRSA\nWhile ibezapolstat for the treatment of C. difficile Infection (CDI) is\nready to advance to Phase 3 international pivotal trials, Acurx's R&D\nplatform has sustainability for additional new product candidates from its\npipeline of systemic (oral and IV) antibiotics to treat infections caused by\nother susceptible and antimicrobial resistant bacteria, including infections\ncaused by MRSA. The CDC estimates ~323,700 hospital cases of MRSA infections\nannually with ~10,600 deaths. In a recent CDC surveillance study in\nhospitalized patients in the US, MRSA accounted for 52% of all infections,\nalmost twice as many as MDR Gram-negative infections.\nClinical applications for these infections include: ABSSI, Hospital Acquired\nand Ventilator Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia, bacteremia with or without sepsis\nand/or endocarditis, bone and joint, diabetic foot infections. Acurx's DNA pol\nIIIC inhibitor preclinical product candidates are FDA QIDP and Fast-Track\neligible and target Gram-positive infections classified as Serious Threat\npriorities by CDC.\n\nForward-Looking Statements\nAny statements in this press release about our future expectations, plans and\nprospects, including   statements regarding our strategy, future operations,\nprospects, plans and objectives, and other statements containing the words\n\"believes,\" \"anticipates,\" \"plans,\" \"expects,\" and similar expressions,\nconstitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private\nSecurities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially\nfrom those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various\nimportant factors, including: whether ibezapolstat will benefit from the QIDP\ndesignation; whether ibezapolstat will advance through the clinical trial\nprocess on a timely basis; whether the results of the clinical trials of\nibezapolstat will warrant the submission of applications for marketing\napproval, and if so, whether ibezapolstat will receive approval from the FDA\nor equivalent foreign regulatory agencies where approval is sought; whether,\nif ibezapolstat obtains approval, it will be successfully distributed and\nmarketed; and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company's annual\nreport on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 as filed with the\nSecurities and Exchange Commission on March 12 2026, and in the Company's\nsubsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such forward-\nlooking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Acurx\ndisclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements\nto reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements, except\nas may be required by law.\n\nInvestor Contact:\nAcurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.\nDavid P. Luci, President & CEO\nTel: 917-533-1469\nEmail: davidluci@acurxpharma.com (mailto:davidluci@acurxpharma.com)\n\nView original\ncontent:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/acurx-announces-scientific-partnership-with-leiden-university-medical-center-to-advance-development-of-acurxs-dna-polymerase-iiic-inhibitor-antibiotics-302846264.html\n(https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/acurx-announces-scientific-partnership-with-leiden-university-medical-center-to-advance-development-of-acurxs-dna-polymerase-iiic-inhibitor-antibiotics-302846264.html)\n\nSOURCE Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.\n\n\n\nCopyright (c) 2026 PR Newswire Association,LLC. All Rights Reserved.","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nPn4sjLyqa","title":"Acurx Announces Scientific Partnership with Leiden University Medical Center to Advance Development of Acurx's DNA Polymerase IIIC Inhibitor Antibiotics","author":"PR Newswire","ticker":"ACXP","created":"2026-08-10T12:01:00.044Z","tickers":["ACXP"],"exchange":"NASDAQ","article_body":"Acurx Announces Scientific Partnership with Leiden University Medical Center to Advance Development of Acurx's DNA Polymerase IIIC Inhibitor Antibiotics\n\nPR Newswire\n\nSTATEN ISLAND, N.Y., Aug. 10, 2026\n\n * This new partnership builds on the previously reported successful results from\nthe innovative research grant received in November 2025 from Health-Holland to\nLeiden University and Acurx\n * This prior work included high-resolution elucidation of the interaction of\nibezapolstat with its molecular target, DNA polymerase IIIC (pol IIIC, also\nknown as PolC), with mechanistic findings that explain its properties of\nlacking cross-resistance with other antibiotics and not fostering the\nemergence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus strains, a unique\ndifferentiation among anti-CDI antibiotics\n * The new research partnership aims to generate the first-ever 3D structure of\nPolC from\nmethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in complex with DNA\nand an Acurx inhibitor to advance discovery of new antibiotics to treat\ninfections caused by this high-priority pathogen\n * This partnership will extend mechanistic research into PolC inhibition to\naccelerate the development of novel agents for the systemic treatment\nof infections caused by a range of Gram-positive pathogens resistant to\ncurrently available antibiotics\nSTATEN ISLAND, N.Y., Aug. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.\n(Nasdaq: ACXP) (\"Acurx\" or the \"Company\"), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical\ncompany developing a new class of antibiotics for difficult-to-treat bacterial\ninfections, today announced a new scientific partnership with Leiden\nUniversity Medical Center (LUMC) in the Netherlands.\n\nPrior work under the November 2025 research grant from Health-Holland to\nLeiden University Medical Center and Acurx for DNA pol IIIC Inhibitors\nincluded detailed three-dimensional structures for three poI IIIC complexes\nfrom Enterococcus and was published in Nature Communications in 2025 [A unique\ninhibitor conformation selectively targets the DNA polymerase PolC of\nGram-positive priority pathogens]* [https://rdcu.be/fxMVQ\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4748149-1&h=789943748&u=https%3A%2F%2Frdcu.be%2FfxMVQ&a=https%3A%2F%2Frdcu.be%2FfxMVQ)\n]. These results have yielded valuable insights into the structure-function\nrelationship for the PolC class of inhibitors. This new partnership aims to\ngenerate the first-ever 3D structure of PolC from MRSA in complex with DNA\nand an Acurx inhibitor to advance discovery of new antibiotics to treat this\nhigh-priority clinical pathogen. This new partnership will extend mechanistic\nresearch into PolC inhibition to accelerate the development of novel new\nagents that are systemically active against a range of Gram-positive pathogens\nresistant to currently available antibiotics.\n\nWiep Klaas Smits, PhD, Associate Professor, LUMC Department of Medical Microbiology will be the lead researcher in collaboration with Meindert Lamers, PhD, Associate Professor, LUMC Department of Cell\nand Chemical Biology and Mia Urem, PhD, from Leiden University Medical Center\nin the Netherlands.\nDr. Smits stated: \"Whereas the previous work established a conserved mode of\naction for this novel class of antibiotics, the new project will allow us to\ninvestigate more subtle differences between PolC's from different\nGram-positive organisms and will improve our understanding of how these\ndifferent novel antibiotics interact with their target beyond their inhibitory\ngroup.\"\n\nRobert J. DeLuccia, Executive Chairman of Acurx, stated: \"This work is very\nimportant, when coupled with the recently reported initial data from\nlaboratory experiments in MRSA-infected neutropenic mice at the University of\nHouston School of Pharmacy demonstrating that Acurx DNA pol IIIC antibiotics\nshowed favorable gut-sparing effects to be a class effect while maintaining\nsystemic antibacterial activity . It will pave the way for further rational\ndesign of novel DNA pol IIIC inhibitors based on new structure-activity\nrelationships.\"  He further stated: \"Treating systemic infections, like those\ncaused by MRSA, without promoting antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis has the\npotential for a transformational shift in the treatment paradigm for\nantibacterial therapy.\"\n\nThe scientific poster presented at ESCMID Global in April 2026 is available on\nour website: www.acurxpharma.com\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4748149-1&h=2741695334&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.acurxpharma.com%2F&a=www.acurxpharma.com)\n\nAcurx's portfolio of preclinical compounds includes clinical applications for\ninfections caused by MRSA such as: ABSSI, Hospital Acquired and Ventilator\nAcquired Bacterial Pneumonia, bacteremia with or without sepsis and/or\nendocarditis, bone and joint and diabetic foot infections. Additionally, Acurx\nintends to leverage its preclinical development program for S.aureus\ninfections for the treatment of post-exposure inhalational anthrax caused\nby B. anthracis, a Bioterrorism Category A Threat-Level\npathogen. Acurx's DNA PolC inhibitor preclinical product candidates are FDA\nQIDP and Fast-Track eligible and target Gram-positive infections classified as\nSerious Threat priorities by CDC.\n\nAbout the Prior Research Project, Leiden University Medical Center, the\nResearch Consortium and the New Scientific Partnership between LUMC and Acurx\nAntimicrobial resistant microorganisms are a major threat to global health and\npose a significant economic burden. Increasing resistance to multiple agents\nand resistance to so called last-resort antibiotics underscore the necessity\nto develop therapeutics that have a novel mode of action. DNA replication is a\nprocess that can be successfully targeted by small molecules. Ibezapolstat, an\ninhibitor of the replicative DNA polymerase pol IIIC from Gram- positive\nbacteria identified by screening library of dGTP analogues, has shown\npromising results for the treatment of Clostridioides difficile Infection in a\nrecently completed Phase 2 clinical trial and is ready to enter Phase 3\nclinical trials. Prior work under the November 2025 research grant from\nHealth-Holland to Leiden University Medical Center and Acurx for DNA pol IIIC\nInhibitors included detailed three-dimensional structures for three poI IIIC\ncomplexes from Enterococcus and was published in Nature Communications [A\nunique inhibitor conformation selectively targets the DNA polymerase PolC of\nGram-positive priority pathogens] [https://rdcu.be/fxMVQ\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4748149-1&h=789943748&u=https%3A%2F%2Frdcu.be%2FfxMVQ&a=https%3A%2F%2Frdcu.be%2FfxMVQ)\n]. These results have yielded valuable insights into the structure-function\nrelationship for the PolC (pol IIIC) class of inhibitors. This new partnership\nbuilds on the previously reported successful results from the innovative\nresearch grant received in November 2025 from Health-Holland to Leiden\nUniversity and Acurx. The partnership aims to generate the first-ever 3D\nstructure of Pol C from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in\ncomplex with DNA and an Acurx inhibitor to advance discovery of new compounds\nto treat this high-priority clinical pathogen. This new partnership will\nextend mechanistic research into pol IIIC inhibition to accelerate the\ndevelopment of novel new agents that are systemically active against a range\nof Gram-positive pathogens resistant to currently available antibiotics.\n\nLeiden University was the first university to be established in the\nNetherlands. Its motto is praesidium libertatis – bastion of freedom. The\nUniversity wishes to create an increasingly attractive and challenging working\nclimate for top academics and young researchers that is guided by quality and\nexcellence. Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) research aims to meet the\nhighest international standards of quality and academic integrity. LUMC\npromotes excellent research through greater collaboration, both disciplinary\nand interdisciplinary; stronger positioning and greater scope for top talent;\nand better supervision and more support for young researchers.\n\nAbout Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.\nAcurx Pharmaceuticals is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on\ndeveloping a new class of small molecule antibiotics for difficult-to-treat\nbacterial infections. The Company's approach is to develop antibiotic\ncandidates with a Gram-positive selective spectrum (GPSS®) that blocks the\nactive site of the Gram+ specific bacterial enzyme DNA polymerase IIIC (pol\nIIIC), inhibiting DNA replication and leading to Gram-positive bacterial cell\ndeath. Its R&D pipeline includes antibiotic product candidates that target\nGram-positive bacteria, including Clostridioides difficile, methicillin-\nresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin resistant Enterococcus\n(VRE), drug- resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (DRSP) and B. anthracis\n(anthrax; a Bioterrorism Category A Threat-Level pathogen).\n\nAcurx's lead product candidate, ibezapolstat, for the treatment of C.\ndifficile Infection (CDI) is Phase 3 ready to advance to international\nclinical trials subject to obtaining appropriate financing. Acurx has received\nFDA guidance in meeting minutes from a July 13, 2026 Type C Meeting to discuss\nibezapolstat's (IBZ) Phase 3 clinical program, including the potential to\nsubmit an NDA (New Drug Application) based on a single Phase 3 trial and a\nclinical trial design intended to support indications for both treatment and\nreduction of recurrence of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). FDA\nstated that it is open to further discussion on the totality of evidence from\nthe clinical development program at a pre-NDA meeting after completion of a\nsingle Phase 3 trial and any other clinical trials conducted prior to the\npre-NDA meeting, particularly if the clinical efficacy results are robust.\nAdditionally, the Agency agreed that a successful clinical outcome from a\nsingle IBZ-ASPIRE Phase 3 trial, supported by the open-label IBZ-PATHFINDER\nPhase 2 trial in multiply-recurrent CDI (rCDI) will allow NDA filing for both\nthe acute treatment and the reduction of recurrence of CDI.\nTrial start-up activities for the IBZ-PATHFINDER ground-breaking clinical\ntrial in patients with rCDI have been initiated with patient enrollment to\nbegin in the next few months.\n\nThe Company's preclinical pipeline includes development of an oral product\ncandidate for treatment of ABSSSI (Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure\nInfections), upon which a development program for treatment of inhaled anthrax\nis being planned in parallel.\n\nTo learn more about Acurx Pharmaceuticals and its product pipeline, please\nvisit www.acurxpharma.com\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4748149-1&h=2741695334&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.acurxpharma.com%2F&a=www.acurxpharma.com)\n.\n\nAbout MRSA\nWhile ibezapolstat for the treatment of C. difficile Infection (CDI) is\nready to advance to Phase 3 international pivotal trials, Acurx's R&D\nplatform has sustainability for additional new product candidates from its\npipeline of systemic (oral and IV) antibiotics to treat infections caused by\nother susceptible and antimicrobial resistant bacteria, including infections\ncaused by MRSA. The CDC estimates ~323,700 hospital cases of MRSA infections\nannually with ~10,600 deaths. In a recent CDC surveillance study in\nhospitalized patients in the US, MRSA accounted for 52% of all infections,\nalmost twice as many as MDR Gram-negative infections.\nClinical applications for these infections include: ABSSI, Hospital Acquired\nand Ventilator Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia, bacteremia with or without sepsis\nand/or endocarditis, bone and joint, diabetic foot infections. Acurx's DNA pol\nIIIC inhibitor preclinical product candidates are FDA QIDP and Fast-Track\neligible and target Gram-positive infections classified as Serious Threat\npriorities by CDC.\n\nForward-Looking Statements\nAny statements in this press release about our future expectations, plans and\nprospects, including   statements regarding our strategy, future operations,\nprospects, plans and objectives, and other statements containing the words\n\"believes,\" \"anticipates,\" \"plans,\" \"expects,\" and similar expressions,\nconstitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private\nSecurities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially\nfrom those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various\nimportant factors, including: whether ibezapolstat will benefit from the QIDP\ndesignation; whether ibezapolstat will advance through the clinical trial\nprocess on a timely basis; whether the results of the clinical trials of\nibezapolstat will warrant the submission of applications for marketing\napproval, and if so, whether ibezapolstat will receive approval from the FDA\nor equivalent foreign regulatory agencies where approval is sought; whether,\nif ibezapolstat obtains approval, it will be successfully distributed and\nmarketed; and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company's annual\nreport on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 as filed with the\nSecurities and Exchange Commission on March 12 2026, and in the Company's\nsubsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such forward-\nlooking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Acurx\ndisclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements\nto reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements, except\nas may be required by law.\n\nInvestor Contact:\nAcurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.\nDavid P. Luci, President & CEO\nTel: 917-533-1469\nEmail: davidluci@acurxpharma.com (mailto:davidluci@acurxpharma.com)\n\nView original\ncontent:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/acurx-announces-scientific-partnership-with-leiden-university-medical-center-to-advance-development-of-acurxs-dna-polymerase-iiic-inhibitor-antibiotics-302846264.html\n(https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/acurx-announces-scientific-partnership-with-leiden-university-medical-center-to-advance-development-of-acurxs-dna-polymerase-iiic-inhibitor-antibiotics-302846264.html)\n\nSOURCE Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.\n\n\n\nCopyright (c) 2026 PR Newswire Association,LLC. All Rights Reserved."},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-08-10T12:01:00.119649516Z","server_sent_at_ms":1786363260119},"received_at":"2026-08-10T12:01:00.278Z","source_url":"https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/acurx-announces-scientific-partnership-with-leiden-university-medical-center-to-advance-development-of-acurxs-dna-polymerase-iiic-inhibitor-antibiotics-302846264.html"},"analysis":{"id":"102969","press_release_id":"113969","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Biotechnology","sector":"Health Care"},"redFlags":["Phase 3 advancement for lead candidate ibezapolstat is subject to obtaining appropriate financing"],"eventType":"partnership","narrative":"Acurx entered a scientific partnership with Leiden University Medical Center to generate the first-ever 3D structure of DNA polymerase IIIC from MRSA, aiming to advance discovery of new antibiotics for this high-priority pathogen.\n\nThe collaboration builds on prior research funded by Health-Holland and seeks to extend mechanistic understanding to enable systemic treatment of resistant Gram-positive infections.\n\nAcurx's lead candidate ibezapolstat is Phase 3 ready for C. difficile infection, though the company notes trial advancement is subject to obtaining appropriate financing.","sentiment":"bullish","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":false,"suggestedAngle":"Partnership targets MRSA structural biology to bolster pipeline."},"keyFigures":{"customDimensions":{"mrsa_cases_annually":323700,"mrsa_deaths_annually":10600}},"quotedText":"Treating systemic infections, like those caused by MRSA, without promoting antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis has the potential for a transformational shift in the treatment paradigm for antibacterial therapy.","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"Wiep Klaas Smits","role":"Associate Professor, LUMC Department of Medical Microbiology"},{"name":"Meindert Lamers","role":"Associate Professor, LUMC Department of Cell and Chemical Biology"},{"name":"Mia Urem","role":"Researcher, Leiden University Medical Center"},{"name":"Robert J. DeLuccia","role":"Executive Chairman"},{"name":"David P. Luci","role":"President & CEO"}],"products":["ibezapolstat","DNA Polymerase IIIC Inhibitor Antibiotics"],"companies":[{"name":"Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.","ticker":"ACXP"},{"name":"Leiden University Medical Center","relationship":"partner"},{"name":"Health-Holland","relationship":"grant provider"},{"name":"University of Houston School of Pharmacy","relationship":"research collaborator"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"materialImpact":{"score":2,"reasoning":"Preclinical research partnership to determine 3D protein structure. While it supports pipeline expansion into MRSA, it is an early-stage scientific milestone without immediate clinical data or commercial revenue impact."},"tickerRelevance":{"others":[],"primary":"ACXP"},"globalImportance":15,"audienceRelevance":15,"eventTypeSecondary":[],"importanceComponents":{"tickerTier":"micro-cap","eventGravity":"research_collaboration","sectorWeight":"biotech"}},"event_type":"partnership","event_type_secondary":null,"sentiment":"bullish","material_impact_score":2,"narrative":"Acurx entered a scientific partnership with Leiden University Medical Center to generate the first-ever 3D structure of DNA polymerase IIIC from MRSA, aiming to advance discovery of new antibiotics for this high-priority pathogen.\n\nThe collaboration builds on prior research funded by Health-Holland and seeks to extend mechanistic understanding to enable systemic treatment of resistant Gram-positive infections.\n\nAcurx's lead candidate ibezapolstat is Phase 3 ready for C. difficile infection, though the company notes trial advancement is subject to obtaining appropriate financing.","key_figures":{"customDimensions":{"mrsa_cases_annually":323700,"mrsa_deaths_annually":10600}},"named_entities":{"people":[{"name":"Wiep Klaas Smits","role":"Associate Professor, LUMC Department of Medical Microbiology"},{"name":"Meindert Lamers","role":"Associate Professor, LUMC Department of Cell and Chemical Biology"},{"name":"Mia Urem","role":"Researcher, Leiden University Medical Center"},{"name":"Robert J. DeLuccia","role":"Executive Chairman"},{"name":"David P. Luci","role":"President & CEO"}],"products":["ibezapolstat","DNA Polymerase IIIC Inhibitor Antibiotics"],"companies":[{"name":"Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.","ticker":"ACXP"},{"name":"Leiden University Medical Center","relationship":"partner"},{"name":"Health-Holland","relationship":"grant provider"},{"name":"University of Houston School of Pharmacy","relationship":"research collaborator"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"model_name":"glm-4.7","prompt_hash":"sha256:727b4b9429a443af","schema_hash":"sha256:05005c02d9cffac9","created_at":"2026-08-10T16:01:26.688Z","global_importance":15,"audience_relevance":15,"importance_components":{"tickerTier":"micro-cap","eventGravity":"research_collaboration","sectorWeight":"biotech"}},"durationMs":143860,"modelName":"glm-4.7"}}