New antibiotic agents in the pipeline and how they can help overcome microbial resistance

Abstract

Bacterial resistance is a growing threat and yet few new antibiotics active against multi-resistant bacteria are being explored. A combination of falling profits, regulatory mechanisms and irrational and injudicious use of antibiotics has led to an alarming situation where some infections have no cure. In this article, we summarize the new developments that have been suggested to incentivize the pharmaceutical industries toward the field of infections. We also briefly mention the new compounds on the horizon and some newly approved compounds that might help us tide over this crisis.

Keywords: antibiotic pipeline; antibiotic resistance; antimicrobial stewardship; new antimicrobials; regulatory approach.