Brilacidin

Also known as: PMX-30063

An investigational synthetic mimic of host-defense peptides (defensins), studied in skin infections, oral mucositis and COVID-19. Not approved.

Last updated October 26, 2026

Mechanism of Action

Brilacidin is a small non-peptide arylamide designed to mimic the amphipathic structure of defensins, the body's own antimicrobial peptides. It disrupts bacterial membranes, killing gram-positive bacteria including MRSA. It also has anti-inflammatory effects, which led to studies in oral mucositis and inflammatory bowel disease, and laboratory studies report antiviral and antifungal activity.

Half-life: Not well established
Administration Routes: Intravenous, Oral rinse, Rectal
Research Status: Clinical

Reported Benefits

Phase 2 trials in acute bacterial skin and skin-structure infections
Phase 2 trial in radiation-induced severe oral mucositis in head and neck cancer
Studied in ulcerative proctitis and hospitalized COVID-19 (Phase 2 missed its primary endpoint)

Potential Side Effects

Numbness or tingling (paresthesia) reported with IV dosing
Blood pressure increases with IV dosing
Long-term safety not established

Common Dosing

No approved dose. Trial regimens have included single or short-course IV infusions for skin infections, an oral rinse for oral mucositis and an enema for ulcerative proctitis. Use outside a clinical trial is not appropriate.

The dosing information above is aggregated from research literature and anecdotal community reports for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation, prescription, or medical advice. Peptides are sold as research chemicals only and are not intended for human use.

Contraindications

Investigational: not established

No documented stacking partners for Brilacidin yet.

A host defense peptide mimetic, brilacidin, potentiates caspofungin antifungal activity against human pathogenic fungi
2023
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Brilacidin, a COVID-19 drug candidate, demonstrates broad-spectrum antiviral activity against human coronaviruses OC43, 229E, and NL63 through targeting both the virus and the host cell
2022
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No. As of 2026 brilacidin remains investigational. It completed Phase 2 trials in skin infections and oral mucositis, and its Phase 2 COVID-19 trial missed its primary endpoint in 2021; we could not confirm an active Phase 3 trial.

Not strictly. It is a small synthetic arylamide molecule built to mimic how defensin peptides act on bacterial membranes, so it is often grouped with antimicrobial peptides.