“Antibacterial agents active against Gram‑Negative Bacilli in Phase I, II, or III Clinical Trials,” by David L. Paterson, surveys nearly 50 investigational therapeutics—28 small‑molecule antibiotics and 21 non‑traditional modalities—now in the clinic. The review highlights both the promise of this pipeline and the obstacles that remain, including toxicity‑related attrition, funding gaps for pivotal Phase III studies in high‑mortality indications such as ventilator‑associated pneumonia, and the developmental complexities faced by non‑traditional agents.
Among the peptides profiled is OMN6, Omnix Medical’s novel 40‑amino‑acid cyclic derivative of cecropin A, which has shown potent activity against Acinetobacter baumannii, a favorable safety profile in 80 healthy volunteers, and is now advancing to a Phase IIa trial (NCT06087536) in hospital‑ and ventilator‑associated pneumonia.
The article also underscores the need for concrete plans to ensure global access to new agents in regions where resistance to Gram‑negative bacilli is most prevalent.
David L. Paterson (2024) Antibacterial agents active against Gram Negative Bacilli in phase I, II, or III clinical trials, Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs, 33:4, 371-387, DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2024.2326028
Link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/13543784.2024.2326028
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No 966627 (OMNIX MEDICAL).