Wilson disease is characterized by exessive copper accumulation in the liver and fulminant hepatitis. A recent study has investigated the therapeutic potential of menthanobactin, a peptide produced by Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b that has a high affinity for copper. In a rat model of Wilson disease, short-term treatment with methanobactin was able to prevent hepatocyte death, subsequent liver failure and death. The researchers propose methanobactin as “the lead drug of choice to develop a more efficient and safe treatment of [Wilson disease]”.