What are we looking for in new antibacterials and how do we design it?

Abstract

The need for new antibacterial agents is a pressing, unmet medical need, but success has been limited, resulting in decreased business interest. Part of the problem is the lack of clarity regarding what would make a new-generation ‘blockbuster’ antibacterial and how this agent could be designed. To this end, the authors outline a few ideas regarding the changes in approach in order to accomplish these needs, including a fundamental change in the drug discovery process.

Keywords::

• antibacterial resistance
• novel antibacterial
• optimisation
• SAR