Pharmaprojects R&D Pipeline News Feed
Novexel discontinues MRSA agent
4 Jul 2008
Novexel has discontinued the development of its antibacterial agent, NXL-101 due to adverse events in a Phase I trial.
The non-quinolone topoisomerase IV inhibitor had previously shown potential in Gram positive infections such as MRSA and vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE). However, in the Phase I trial, healthy volunteers experienced QT interval prolongation, a cardiovascular toxicity associated with a slower heart beat. As a result, the company has decided to refocus its development strategy on its other antibacterial treatments including leading candidate, NXL-103 in development for community-acquired pneumonia, MRSA and respiratory tract infections.
Synercid (dalfopristin + quinupristin), Tygacil (tigecycline) and Zyvox (linezolid) are the only available treatments on the market for MRSA or VRE infections and with the incidence of antibiotic-resistant infections increasing, the need for successful treatments has never been more apparent.
