Fighting antibiotic resistance—strategies and (pre)clinical developments to find new antibacterials

• Published in: EMBO reports Vol. 24; no. 1; pp. e56033 - n/a
• Main Authors: Walesch, Sebastian, Birkelbach, Joy, Jézéquel, Gwenaëlle, Haeckl, F P Jake, Hegemann, Julian D, Hesterkamp, Thomas, Hirsch, Anna K H, Hammann, Peter, Müller, Rolf
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 09.01.2023; Springer Nature B.V; EMBO Press; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; antibacterial pipeline; Antibiotic resistance; Antibiotics; Antimicrobial agents; antimicrobial resistance; Bacteria - genetics; Biological Products; Chemical Sciences; Drug development; Drug Discovery; Drug Resistance, Microbial; EMBO08; EMBO23; Humans; innovation; Life Sciences; Microbiology and Parasitology; Natural products; preclinical and clinical pipeline; Review; innovation; antibacterial pipeline; antimicrobial resistance; antibiotics; preclinical and clinical pipeline; Virology & Host Pathogen Interaction; preclinical and clinical pipeline Subject Categories Microbiology; antibacterial pipeline antibiotics antimicrobial resistance innovation preclinical and clinical pipeline Subject Categories Microbiology
• ISSN: 1469-221X; 1469-3178; 1469-3178
• DOI: 10.15252/embr.202256033

Antibacterial resistance is one of the greatest threats to human health. The development of new therapeutics against bacterial pathogens has slowed drastically since the approvals of the first antibiotics in the early and mid‐20 th century. Most of the currently investigated drug leads are modifications of approved antibacterials, many of which are derived from natural products. In this review, we highlight the challenges, advancements and current standing of the clinical and preclinical antibacterial research pipeline. Additionally, we present novel strategies for rejuvenating the discovery process and advocate for renewed and enthusiastic investment in the antibacterial discovery pipeline. Graphical Abstract Antibacterial resistance is one of the greatest threats to human health. This review highlights the challenges, advancements and current standing of the clinical and preclinical antibacterial research pipeline.