Ramoplanin: a topical lipoglycodepsipeptide antibacterial agent

Abstract

Ramoplanin, a novel antibiotic with activity against aerobic and anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria, acts to prevent cell wall peptidoglycan formation by binding to a key intermediate moiety, lipid II. It has been fast-tracked by the US FDA for the prevention of enterococcal infections and the treatment of Clostridium difficile. The minimum inhibitory concentration_90s have been ≤1.0 µg/ml against Gram-positive organisms examined. In carriers of vancomycin-resistant enterococci, a double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II trial of two doses of ramoplanin versus placebo showed proof of concept. A second Phase II trial also demonstrated the equivalence of ramoplanin compared with vancomycin for the treatment of C. difficile colitis. The clinical value and place in therapy of ramoplanin is dependent upon the results of Phase III trials addressing its utility in suppressing carriage of target organisms in the gastrointestinal tract or in the nares.

Keywords::

• antibiotic resistance
• Clostridium difficile
• Gram-positive bacteria
• ramoplanin
• vancomycin-resistant enterococci