Dalbavancin is a second-generation lipoglycopeptide antibiotic that was designed to improve on the natural glycopeptides currently available, such as vancomycin and teicoplanin. Modifications from these older glycoprotein classes allowed a similar mechanism of action with increased activity and once weekly dosing. Its use is indicated for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) caused by the following gram-positive microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant strains), S. pyogenes, S. agalactiae, and S. anginosus group (including S. anginosus, S. intermedius, and S. constellatus). Under the brand name DALVANCE Dalbavancin is indicated for acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) caused by designated susceptible strains of Gram-positive microorganisms. The bactericidal action of dalbavancin results primarily from inhibition of cell-wall biosynthesis. Specifically, dalbavancin prevents incorporation of N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM)- and N-acetylglucosamine (NAG)-peptide subunits from being incorporated into the peptidoglycan matrix; which forms the major structural component of Gram-positive cell walls. The large hydrophilic molecule is able to form hydrogen bond interactions with the terminal D-alanyl-D-alanine moieties of the NAM/NAG-peptides, which is normally a five-point interaction. Binding of dalbavancin to the D-Ala-D-Ala prevents the incorporation of the NAM/NAG-peptide subunits into the peptidoglycan matrix. In addition, dalbavancin alters bacterial-cell-membrane permeability and RNA synthesis.

Colistin sulfate is a polypeptide antibiotic which penetrates into and disrupts the bacterial cell membrane. It is a cyclic polypeptide antibiotic from Bacillus colistinus. It is composed of Polymyxins E1 and E2 (or Colistins A, B, and C). Colistin was first isolated in Japan in 1949 from a flask of fermenting Bacillus polymyxa var. colistinus and became available for clinical use in 1959. The following local adverse events have been reported with topical corticosteroids, especially under occlusive dressings: burning, itching, irritation, dryness, folliculitis, hypertrichosis, etc. Healthcare providers had largely stopped using colistin in the 1970s because of its toxicity. However, with antibacterial resistance on the rise, colistin is increasingly being used today to treat severe, multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections, particularly among intensive care-based patients. The problem with re-introducing an older drug, such as colistin, though, is that techniques for evaluating new drugs have evolved since the 1950s, and therefore, little is known about the dose needed to effectively fight infection while limiting the potential emergence of antimicrobial resistance and reducing potentially toxic side effects. More data are needed to guide optimal use of these older medications. An international team of NIAID-funded researchers is making progress in obtaining better dosing information about colistin and how best to use the antibiotic to treat Gram-negative bacterial infections. Resistance to colistin is rare. The first colistin-resistance gene that is carried in a plasmid and can be transferred between bacterial strains was described in 2016. This plasmid-borne mcr-1 gene has since been isolated in China, Europeand the United States.

Polymyxin B is a lipopeptide antibiotic isolated from Bacillus polymyxa. Its basic structure consists of a polycationic peptide ring and a tripeptide side chain with a fatty acid tail. Polymyxin B is a mixture of at least four closely related components, polymyxin B1 to B4, with polymyxin B1 and B2 being the two major components. Polymyxin B acts on Gram-negative bacteria by interacting with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of the outer membrane and destabilizing it. Polymyxin B is indicated for the treatment of many bacterial diseases such as meningeal infections, urinary tract infections and bacteremia.

Bacitracin is a polypeptide antibiotic produced by Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis. Bacitracin in combination with neomycin and polymyxin B is indicated for the treatment of many bacterial diseases. The antibacterial properties of bacitracin are mediated by its binding to C55-isoprenyl pyrophosphate, resulting in inhibition of cell wall biosynthesis.