Dr Nicola Rose: A New Antibiotic Is Positive News – But It Will Take More to Stay Ahead of Superbugs

15th October 2025

Dr Nicola Rose: A New Antibiotic Is Positive News – But It Will Take More to Stay Ahead of Superbugs

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved gepotidacin (Blujepa), marking the UK's first new antibiotic for urinary tract infections (UTIs) in nearly 30 years. UTIs affect half of all women at some point in their lives, leading to millions of NHS appointments and prescriptions annually. For the estimated 1.6 million women in the UK with chronic UTIs, repeated infections can significantly impact daily life.

However, many UTIs no longer respond to traditional antibiotics, with more than 90% of UTI-causing bacteria now resistant to at least one common medicine. The overuse of existing antibiotics contributes to this resistance, resulting in infections that are harder to treat or that keep recurring.

Gepotidacin works by blocking the enzymes that bacteria need to multiply, offering a new mechanism of action. In clinical studies, it was effective even against bacteria resistant to standard antibiotics.

While the approval of gepotidacin is a significant step, it underscores the need for a multifaceted approach to tackle antibiotic resistance. This includes faster access to promising medicines, improved use of existing antibiotics, and the development of new scientific strategies.

Link: Dr Nicola Rose: A New Antibiotic Is Positive News – But It Will Take More to Stay Ahead of Superbugs

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