Derivatives of korormicin useful as antibiotics

A system for antibiotic development comprising:

• (a) a synthetic compound of formula (III):
• or a salt or stereoisomer or prodrug thereof;
• wherein R1-R3 and R5-R10 are independently selected from H, alkyl group, substituted alkyl group, halogen, OH, NH2, or SH;
• R4 is H, alkyl group or substituted alkyl group;
• X1-X2 are independently selected from ═O, ═S, ═NH, H, alkyl, halogen, OH, SH, or NH2;
• W is a saturated acyclic hydrocarbon chain of 1 to 15 carbon atoms;
• and
• Z is a neutral or positively charged organic group comprising a nitrogen or phosphorus atom;
• (b) an assay for determining efficacy of the compound to inhibit growth of a bacteria.

A process for antibiotic development comprising:

• (a) generating a compound of formula (III):
• or a salt or stereoisomer or prodrug thereof;
• wherein R1-R3 and R5-R10 are independently selected from H, alkyl group, substituted alkyl group, halogen, OH, NH2, or SH;
• R4 is H, alkyl group or substituted alkyl group;
• X1-X2 are independently selected from ═O, ═S, ═NH, H, alkyl, halogen, OH, SH, or NH2;
• W is a saturated acyclic hydrocarbon chain of 1 to 15 carbon atoms consisting only of hydrogen and carbon atoms;
• Z is CH3;
• (b) determining efficacy of the compound to inhibit growth of a bacteria.

A system for antibiotic development comprising:

• (a) a synthetic compound of formula (III):
• or a salt or stereoisomer or prodrug thereof;
• wherein R1-R3 and R5-R10 are independently selected from H, alkyl group, substituted alkyl group, halogen, OH, NH2, or SH;
• R4 is H, alkyl group or substituted alkyl group;
• X1-X2 are independently selected from ═O, ═S, ═NH, H, alkyl, halogen, OH, SH, or NH2;
• W is a saturated acyclic hydrocarbon chain of 1 to 15 carbon atoms consisting only of hydrogen and carbon atoms;
• Z is CH3;
• (b) an assay for determining efficacy of the compound to inhibit growth of a bacteria.