Lakewood-Amedex at ThinkEquity Conference: betting on topical antimicrobials

On Thursday, 15 October 2026, Lakewood-Amedex (LABT) unveiled its high-risk, high-need strategy at The ThinkEquity Conference, centered on its topical antimicrobial candidate Nu-3. The company aims to tackle the global antimicrobial resistance crisis, as well as diabetic foot ulcers. Nu-3 is designed to swiftly kill bacteria, particularly multidrug-resistant strains, while avoiding systemic exposure.

Lab data demonstrated no resistance development after three weeks of low-dose exposure, contrasting with a ciprofloxacin control, which exhibited 2,000-fold resistance. Phase IIA data in diabetic foot ulcers is anticipated in Q1 2025, with biopsies at days 0, 7, and 14 to measure bacterial counts. The company's market value has plummeted from a $140 million direct-listing valuation to an estimated $4 million to $5 million, attributed to financing structure rather than clinical setbacks.

Lakewood-Amedex is developing a novel class of antimicrobial agents, targeting antimicrobial resistance, which claims to cause about 4.7 million deaths worldwide per year. The lead program, Nu-3, is being developed as a local treatment for diabetic foot ulcer infections, acting directly at the wound site and potentially reducing side effects and disrupting the microbiome.

The compound demonstrates broad activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including multidrug-resistant organisms like MRSA and vancomycin-resistant strains. It kills bacteria within 10 minutes at therapeutic concentrations and has biofilm activity against dormant organisms. Nu-3 has also shown activity against Yersinia pestis, a biodefense-relevant pathogen.

The company completed all key operational steps to support the trial, with the Phase IIA study already underway, enrolling its first patient weeks before the presentation. The trial employs a single-blinded design, with three dose arms (2%, 5%, and 10% gel formulations) being tested in parallel, and biopsies taken at days 0, 7, and 14.