B2i Digital, Inc. has announced that Lakewood-Amedex Biotherapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: LABT) has become its newest Featured Company. The clinical-stage biotechnology company, based in Sarasota, Florida, is developing the Bisphosphocin® class, a novel group of fast-acting, broad-spectrum antimicrobials designed to address infectious diseases and antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. Through this partnership, B2i Digital will introduce Lakewood-Amedex's science and clinical program to its extensive network of retail and institutional investors. A full company profile is slated to appear soon at B2i Digital's featured companies page.
The significance of this announcement lies in the urgent need for new antimicrobials. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat, with the World Health Organization estimating that 830 million people live with diabetes, a third of whom will develop a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). Roughly half of these ulcers become infected, and 15-20% of those infections involve resistant pathogens, primarily MRSA. Current treatments are often ineffective against resistant strains, and the pipeline of new drugs is limited. Lakewood-Amedex's Bisphosphocin® class offers a potential breakthrough due to its novel mechanism of action.
Bisphosphocin® compounds are small nucleotide derivatives that act by destabilizing the bacterial cell membrane in a pH- and concentration-dependent manner, typically within one minute of exposure. Because the mechanism targets the membrane itself, the company reports that Nu-3, its lead candidate, did not induce resistance in serial passage experiments and has shown broad-spectrum in vitro activity against bacteria with diverse resistance mechanisms. This high barrier to resistance is a critical advantage over existing antibiotics, which often face rapid resistance development.
Nu-3 is a topically delivered gel formulation designed to treat infected DFUs. The company is finalizing preparations for a Phase 2a proof-of-concept study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Nu-3 at three concentrations (2%, 5%, and 10%) in patients with infected DFUs. The study is intended to support advancement into a larger Phase 2b trial. Notably, David G. Armstrong, DPM, M.D., Ph.D., a Distinguished Professor of Surgery and Neurological Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, has been appointed Study Chair and will also serve as a Scientific Advisor. His expertise in diabetic foot care adds credibility to the program.
The preclinical package supporting dose selection was reported in July, showing that Nu-3 was well tolerated in an FDA-required safety study at dose levels substantially higher than those planned for Phase 2a, with very low systemic exposure and no inhibition of wound healing. These findings are encouraging for the upcoming clinical trial.
Intellectual property is a key asset for Lakewood-Amedex. The company holds 72 issued patents and 29 pending applications, covering composition of matter for the Bisphosphocin® class, formulations of Nu-3, use patents, and process patents. Principal filings run through 2038, with recent applications extending to 2044, providing long-term protection for its innovations. The company began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol LABT in April 2026 following a direct listing.
David Shapiro, CEO of B2i Digital, emphasized the importance of this partnership: "Antimicrobial resistance keeps narrowing the list of drugs that still work against all pathogens, and the compounds coming to replace them are mostly variations on mechanisms that bacteria have already learned to defeat. Lakewood-Amedex has spent years on a compound class that disrupts the bacterial membrane physically, and in laboratory work Nu-3 has demonstrated a high barrier to resistance. The company is preparing a Phase 2a trial in infected diabetic foot ulcers with one of the field’s most respected clinicians as study chair, which makes this a company investors should meet early."
Kelvin Cooper, Ph.D., CEO of Lakewood-Amedex, added: "Our focus is on bringing the Bisphosphocin® class into the clinic and generating the proof-of-concept data that will define its potential in infected diabetic foot ulcers. Working with B2i Digital gives us the opportunity to explain that science, and the milestones ahead of it, to a much broader group of investors than a company at our stage would normally reach."
The implications of this announcement are significant for the fight against antimicrobial resistance. If Nu-3 proves safe and effective in clinical trials, it could offer a new treatment option for infected DFUs, a condition that often leads to amputation and has high morbidity and mortality. Moreover, the Bisphosphocin® class could potentially be developed for other infections, providing a new weapon against MRSA, VRE, and other resistant pathogens. For investors, the company's progress represents a potential opportunity to support a novel approach to a critical public health challenge.
