UK leads with antibiotic find

THE first new class of antibiotics in 30 years is a step nearer thanks to research by UK scientists.

They synthesised teixobactin, a naturally occurring antibiotic hailed as key in fighting superbugs.

Lincoln University’s Dr Ishwar Singh said creating a drug was a “quantum jump” and at least six years off but added: “This is a step in the right direction.”

Drug-resistant superbugs are predicted to kill an extra 10 million people a year by 2050.