Dalbavancin & Co.

How it works

Vancomycin's cousins, fitted with a fatty tail to anchor to bacteria and linger. One or two drips treat MRSA skin infections.

What it's made of

Three semisynthetic antibiotics. They start from glycopeptides made by soil bacteria, a core of 7 amino acids with sugars, and a fatty tail was added so they last longer and anchor to the bacterium.

What it's for

Prescribed for

Acute skin infections caused by gram-positive bacteria, including resistant staph (MRSA). Telavancin, also hospital-acquired pneumonia when there is no alternative.