2023 Antibacterial Agents Overview and Analysis
Introduction: This comprehensive report offers an in-depth look at antibacterial agents currently undergoing clinical and preclinical development, focusing on those targeting major public health threats. The document outlines the evolution of the antibacterial pipeline, highlighting advancements and challenges in combating antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
Clinical Development: The report details the progress of agents that have received market authorization since July 2017, categorizing them into traditional and non-traditional classes. It assesses these agents based on their activity against the World Health Organization's (WHO) priority pathogens list, providing product descriptions and evaluating their innovation and impact.
Agents in Clinical Development: The section focuses on antibacterial agents specifically targeted at WHO's priority pathogens, including:
- Cell Wall Inhibitors: Discussing beta-lactams and beta-lactamase inhibitors.
- Cell Membrane Disruptors: Covering polymyxins and host defense peptides.
- Protein Synthesis Inhibitors: Exploring tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, and macrolides/ketolides.
- Other Inhibitors: Including FabI inhibitors, FtsZ inhibitors, ATP production disruptors, and antibiotic hybrids.
- Agents for Treating Drug-Resistant TB: Highlighting developments aimed at treating tuberculosis resistant to standard treatments.
- Non-Traditional Antibacterials: Discussing novel approaches like antibodies, anti-virulence agents, bacteriophages, immunomodulators, and microbiome-modulating agents.
Preclinical Development: An overview of the preclinical pipeline, categorizing agents based on their therapeutic targets and assessing their potential impact. This includes a spectrum of activity against bacterial pathogens, geographical distribution of research institutions, and a breakdown by therapeutic indication.
Discussion: The report evaluates the progress made in developing new antibiotics, acknowledging both advancements and persistent challenges, particularly in terms of innovation, activity against priority pathogens, and access issues. It also discusses gaps in the current clinical research and development landscape and implications for addressing the pipeline access crisis.
Methods: Detailed methodology used for analyzing the clinical and preclinical pipelines, including scope, inclusion/exclusion criteria, search strategies, and assessment metrics.
Conclusion and Policy Implications: Concludes with recommendations for addressing the critical issue of limited access to novel antibacterial agents, emphasizing the need for enhanced collaboration, funding, and regulatory frameworks to expedite the development and deployment of effective antimicrobials.
Additional Information: Includes appendices with detailed data on specific agent categories, geographical distribution of research institutions, and a declaration of interests of advisory group members, among other supplementary materials.
