ANTIBIOTIC DEVELOPMENT IN PHARMA IS DEAD – FOR NOW

This is a somewhat nostalgic retro blog.  I was leafing through a book by Vince Andriole called ‘The Quinolones’.[1]  First released in 1988, its third edition is from 2000.  It provided in-depth coverage of quinolone chemistry, PK, microbiology, efficacy and safety.  It was a great review of the large and Continue reading ANTIBIOTIC DEVELOPMENT IN PHARMA IS DEAD – FOR NOW

The 10 x ’20 Initiative – A Retrospective

It started all so well with fanfare and great expectations. Fifteen years ago, the 10 x ’20 initiative got underway. Its goals were spelled out clearly: To ‘Pursue a Global Commitment to Develop 10 New Antibacterial Drugs by 2020 ’[3].  It was driven by ID clinicians and by antibiotic developers concerned Continue reading The 10 x ’20 Initiative – A Retrospective

GC Therapy –  Shooting for the Stars

Besides ceftriaxone (CTRIAX), cefixime and spectinomycin we have no other highly effective single-dose treatment regimens for urogenital GC. Failures of all 3 drugs have been described but remain rare, can be overcome with higher doses of CTRIAX (1 g instead of 250 mg IM) or with azithromycin combination therapy. Worse Continue reading GC Therapy –  Shooting for the Stars