Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing a novel class of small-molecule antibiotics designed to combat difficult-to-treat bacterial infections. The company's core mission involves creating antibiotic candidates with a Gram-positive selective spectrum (GPSS) that specifically target and block the active site of the Gram-positive bacterial enzyme DNA polymerase IIIC (pol IIIC). This mechanism inhibits DNA replication, ultimately leading to Gram-positive bacterial cell death. Acurx Pharmaceuticals is headquartered in Staten Island, New York, United States.

The company's primary product candidate, ibezapolstat, is an orally administered antibiotic currently in Phase 2b clinical trials for the treatment of Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI). Ibezapolstat represents the first of a new class of DNA polymerase IIIC inhibitors under development. Acurx's research and development pipeline also includes early-stage antibiotic candidates aimed at other critical Gram-positive bacteria, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (DRSP), and B. anthracis.

In recent developments, Acurx Pharmaceuticals announced in March 2026 a new clinical trial program for ibezapolstat in patients with recurrent CDI, with plans to advance to Phase 3 international trials, contingent on securing appropriate funding. The company also secured a patent grant in Korea for its DNA Polymerase IIIC inhibitors in March 2026 and completed a registered direct offering in April 2026. The leadership team includes David P. Luci as President & CEO, Robert J. DeLuccia as Executive Chairman, and Robert G. Shawah as Chief Financial Officer. Acurx is positioned as a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical entity focused on addressing unmet medical needs in infectious diseases by targeting previously unexploited molecular pathways.