TXA-709 –  New Kid on the Block

When searching for FtsZ inhibitors on PubMed, there are 187 hits. When narrowing down the search looking for clinical trials only, there are none. Taxis Pharmaceuticals obtained QIDP status for its candidate drug TXA-709 in late 2016 and it is Continue reading TXA-709 –  New Kid on the Block

Antibiotic Inhalers Galore (Part 1):  More Combinations and Permutations than a Rubik’s Cube

There is much interest in inhaled antibiotics these days.  Prima facie, the logic for this approach is compelling: Getting the antibiotic (and a lot of it) directly to the site of infection, while avoiding systemic toxicity, sounds like optimized efficacy Continue reading Antibiotic Inhalers Galore (Part 1):  More Combinations and Permutations than a Rubik’s Cube

Timely New Information on Next-Generation Tetracyclines – Part 2: Eravacycline and Protein Binding

A recent paper by Thabit describes a curious finding [1]. The authors measured total and free (i.e., nonprotein-bound) eravacycline levels at ascending doses in a mouse model. They found strikingly small increases in free drug levels when titrating up total doses. The Continue reading Timely New Information on Next-Generation Tetracyclines – Part 2: Eravacycline and Protein Binding

Timely New Information on Next-Generation Tetracyclines – Part 1: Omadacycline and Cardiac AEs

Several interesting articles appeared recently which shed light on the efficacy of eravacycline and the safety of omadacycline, both in Phase 3 and both in a head-to-head race to the market.  Well, the term ‘race’ is bit of a stretch as both Continue reading Timely New Information on Next-Generation Tetracyclines – Part 1: Omadacycline and Cardiac AEs

The EpiPen Episode, an Epitaph on Epinephrine as we know it, an Epilogue and an Epiphany

For a good long time, economists have been thinking about the reimbursement quandary for antibiotics, esp. antibacterials. They are just too cheap, right?  Well, with the exception of HCV and some newer HIV drugs, few compounds have ever reached the Continue reading The EpiPen Episode, an Epitaph on Epinephrine as we know it, an Epilogue and an Epiphany