Based on technology invented by the Director of the Antimicrobial Center at Northeastern University and licensed from that institution, Arietis is a biotechnology company addressing development of novel antimicrobial agents, including both sterilizing antifungals and a new class of antibacterial agents called âprodrug antibiotics." The Arietis approach and technology is novel and aims to bridge a current gap in antimicrobial therapeutics. Current antibiotics work in conjunction with the immune system and are unable to completely eradicate the pathogen. Survival is due to microbial cells entering into a dormant state, which is tolerant to antimicrobials. These tolerant cells can be responsible for chronic and relapsing infections. Arietis' technology involves sterilizing antibiotics that do not face this problem. The company has obtained exclusive, world-wide technology licenses to its technology. Applications include treatment for skin and soft tissue infections with S. aureus and MRSA, gastritis due to Helicobacter pylori, and bacterial and fungal infection of implanted medical devices
