Where will new antibiotics come from?
There is a constant need for new antibacterial drugs owing to the inevitable development of resistance that follows the introduction of antibiotics to the clinic. When a new class of antibiotic is introduced, it is effective at first, but will eventually select for survival of the small fraction of bacterial populations that have an intrinsic or acquired resistance mechanism. Pathogens that are resistant to multiple drugs emerge around the globe, so how robust are antibiotic discovery processes?
Walsh
Christopher
C
Biological Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology Department, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. christopher_walsh@hms.harvard.edu
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000266:history / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D001688:Biological Products / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D015195:Drug Design; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001688:Biological Products