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Novel DNA Polymerase Inhibitors as Gram-Positive Antibacterial Agents

Award Information
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Branch: National Institutes of Health
Contract: 1R43AI090719-01
Agency Tracking Number: AI090719
Amount: $991,909.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: NIAID
Solicitation Number: PHS2010-2
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2010
Award Year: 2010
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
CRESTONE, INC. 6973 CARTER TRAIL
BOULDER, CO -
United States
DUNS: 015881952
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 THALE JARVIS
 () -
Business Contact
 THALE JARVIS
Phone: (720) 289-8601
Email: tjarvis@crestonepharma.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The alarming increase in incidence of infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria has created an urgent need for new antibacterial agents. We have discovered and optimized a novel class of antibiotics targeting PolC, the replicative DNA polymerase in Gram-positive bacteria. These agents exhibit broad spectrum activity against Gram-positive bacteria, including clinically important pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP), Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A strep), vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) and Clostridium difficile. In addition, compounds of this class are currently being evaluated for antibacterial activity in Gram-positive biothreat pathogens such as Bacillus anthracis. These agents demonstrate bactericidal activity, oral bioavailability, in vivo efficacy, a low propensity for toxicity and a low rate of spontaneous resistance. The mechanism of action has been unambiguously defined: the compounds inhibit an essential and novel molecular target involved in bacterial DNA synthesis and consequently circumvent existing mechanisms of antibiotic resistance. Although mechanistically similar to previously described PolC inhibitors of the anilino uracil class (Daly et al., 2000, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 44:2217), this compound series is chemically distinct, and displays more favorable microbiological potency and more desirable physical properties for drug development. We seek funding to advance this program from its current preclinical stage of lead optimization to the point of selecting a candidate compound for clinical development. The research plan leading to Investigational New Drug (IND) candidate selection comprises three stages. First, we will leverage information from our current structure- activity relationship (SAR) data coupled with a collection of 15 target-inhibitor co-crystals to perform structure- based lead optimization. Resulting compounds will be synthesized and will undergo extensive microbiological profiling. Compounds meeting the desired thresholds for potency and selectivity will progress to the second step, consisting of in vitro screens for metabolic stability and toxicity. This includes measuring degradation rates in human liver microsomes in order to estimate oral bioavailability and overall plasma exposure levels. Receptor binding assays that are predictive of known toxicity pathways have proven utility and help to ensure that the promising safety profile of these compounds is maintained throughout the lead optimization process. Compounds that pass the in vitro screens will progress to the final stage, consisting of in vivo testing of pharmacokinetics, efficacy and preliminary multi-dose toxicity. Collectively, these data should provide a detailed characterization of several lead compounds, supporting selection of the final IND candidate. A successful outcome would provide a long-term public health benefit in combating the rising tide of antibiotic- resistant infections that pose an acute threat to the general population, even those without predisposing risk factors. The alarming increase in incidence of infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria has created an urgent need for new antibacterial agents. The agents we have discovered and wish to develop represent a novel antibiotic class with broad spectrum Gram-positive antibacterial activity. The novel mechanism of action means that extant bacterial populations lack natural resistance. In the last forty years, very few new antibiotic classes have been brought to market, highlighting the pressing need for novel agents to combat resistance.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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