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Review
. 2022 Jun;50(3):553-564.
doi: 10.1007/s15010-021-01709-3. Epub 2021 Oct 4.

Antibiotics in the pipeline: a literature review (2017-2020)

Jaffar A Al-Tawfiq  1   2   3   4 , Hisham Momattin  5 , Anfal Y Al-Ali  6 , Khalid Eljaaly  7   8 , Raghavendra Tirupathi  9   10   11 , Mohamed Bilal Haradwala  12 , Swetha Areti  13 , Saad Alhumaid  14 , Ali A Rabaan  15   16 , Abbas Al Mutair  17   18   19 , Patricia Schlagenhauf  20
Affiliations
Review

Antibiotics in the pipeline: a literature review (2017-2020)

Jaffar A Al-Tawfiq et al. Infection. 2022 Jun.

Erratum in

Abstract

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an emerging global threat. It increases mortality and morbidity and strains healthcare systems. Health care professionals can counter the rising AMR by promoting antibiotic stewardship and facilitating new drug development. Even with the economic and scientific challenges, it is reassuring that new agents continue to be developed.

Methods: This review addresses new antibiotics in the pipeline. We conducted a review of the literature including Medline, Clinicaltrials.org, and relevant pharmaceutical companies for approved and in pipeline antibiotics in phase 3 or new drug application (NDA).

Results: We found a number of new antibiotics and reviewed their current development status, mode of action, spectra of activity, and indications for which they have been approved. The included studies from phase 3 clinical trials were mainly utilized for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections, community-acquired bacterial pneumonia, and pneumonia acquired in the healthcare settings. The number of these agents is limited against high priority organisms. The identified antibiotics were based mainly on previously known molecules or pre-existing antimicrobial agents.

Conclusion: There are a limited number of antibiotics against high priority organisms such as multi-drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. New antimicrobial agents directed against the top priority organisms as classified by the World Health Organization are urgently needed.

Keywords: Antibiotics; New antibiotics; Novel antibiotics; Pipeline.

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Conflict of interest statement

All the authors have no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A flow diagram of the search strategy according to the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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