Novel antibiotics against gram-negative bacterial pathogens

SMi Group reports: Brent Cezairliyan of Octagon Therapeuticson discovery and evaluation of inhibitors of intermediary metabolism at the Superbugs &Superdrugs USA conference this November

Past methods of developing antibiotics have been mainly focused on small molecule antibiotics. The current focus of the industry is on discovering new targets, approaches and non-traditional methods to antimicrobial resistance. Innovations are being seen in bacteriophage use in specifically targeting bacterial infection, use of biologics and vaccine development.

This February, Octagon Therapeutics, a preclinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing antibiotics for multi-drug resistant infections, announced the formation of a Scientific Advisory Board and the successful completion of a Seed Financing. Octagon’s drug discovery platform focuses on the identification of novel metabolic pathways that power pathogenic bacteria.  Using this platform, Octagon has identified promising small molecule inhibitors of these critical targets in resistant bacteria. “Targeting bacterial metabolism presents a new therapeutic strategy” – stated Fred Ausubel, Octagon’s scientific co-founder. [1]

SMi Group is pleased to have expert insight from Brent Cezairliyan, Senior Scientist at Octagon Therapeutics, who will be delivering a presentation at the SMi’sSuperbugs &Superdrugs USA Conference (November 12 – 13, New Jersey) on the topic of Discovery and evaluation of inhibitors of intermediary metabolism as novel antibiotics against gram-negative bacterial pathogens.

This Key Note Address will concentrate on:

Identification of growth conditions that stimulate virulence of the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa

A screening platform to identify novel compounds that inhibit bacterial growth under virulence-stimulating conditions

Inhibitors of central metabolism exhibit in vivo activity against P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii infections

Further details at http://www.superbugs-usa.com/phhqPR

Plus, topical workshops on November 14:

• Rapid diagnostics for drug resistance: Are we there yet?
• Avoiding the post antibiotic era: the challenges and solutions to successful commercialisation of new antibiotics

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