Paratek develops lead antibiotic compounds

Paratek Pharmaceuticals has delivered the first set of prospective compounds for use against drug-resistant bacteria. The compounds, which are novel synthetic analogues of tetracycline, are the first milestone in a research collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline, which began in 1999.

The compounds are based around research by Dr Stuart Levy of Tufts University School of Medicine, into the mechanisms bacteria use to resist antibiotics. These include efflux pumps, which flush antibiotics out of the bacterium before they can take effect; and ribosomal protection mechanisms, which build a shield around the protein-generating ribosome, the part of the bacterium targeted by tetracycline.

'We know how bacteria resist new drugs, and with every new drug, they keep learning new tricks,' says Paratek chief executive Tom Bigger. 'Here we have compounds that directly target bacterial resistance mechanisms, while retaining potent antibacterial activity.' Levy founded Paratek in 1996.