Paul Hoffman, PhD, of UVA’s Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, discusses this new drug, amixicile, which was found to be effective against the harmful “Red Group” of anaerobic bacteria associated with advanced gum disease. The researchers say amixicile may have another important benefit, too, it is thought that it would be extremely difficult for bacteria to find a way to become resistant to it. That means it could be used widely without contributing to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.