ETX0282 is an oral prodrug of a class A, C, and D serine β-lactamase inhibitor in clinical development for drug-resistant enterobacterial infections in combination with the beta-lactam drug cefpodoxime proxetil. Impressively ETX0282 had no observed adverse effect levels (NOAELs) of 500 mg/kg/day and 400 mg/kg/day in rat and dog, respectively, [...]

This month’s cover molecule, Pfizer’s PF-07321332 (nirmatrelvir, API of Paxlovid) is an oral, reversible covalent SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitor, which has been submitted to the FDA by Pfizer for emergency approval for Covid treatment. Interim data showed Paxlovid reducing Covid hospitalization and death by 89%. It was nominated for this month’s [...]

QPX7728 is an ultrabroad-spectrum beta-lactamase inhibitor with activity against both serine and zinc metallo-beta-lactamases, in contrast to approved beta-lactamase inhibitors such as relebactam which are only active against serine metalloproteases. Interestingly, the boron of the molecule coordinates to serine hydroxyl groups in serine [...]

CDI (Clostridioides difficile) infection is a leading cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea with significant morbidity and mortality, and with the rise of hypervirulent and resistant strains, novel and selective antibiotics to treat these infections are needed. Cadazolid, a hybrid antibiotic that combines pharmacophores of two classes of antibacterials, demonstrated potent activity in vitro against relevant C. difficile strains, while avoiding native gut flora. Additionally, the compound was designed to be gut-restricted, with minimal systemic circulation following PO dosing.

The Janssen pan-genotype, pan-serotype dengue virus inhibitor, JNJ-A07 , demonstrates broad activity against a panel of 21 clinical isolates and has a high barrier to resistance. It blocks the interaction between the non-enzymatic NS4B protein and NS3, preventing them from forming an NS3-NS4B complex which is essential for replication (though [...]