One way to prevent the effect of a molecule is to use the cell’s own machinery to break it down. This is what the PROTAC technology does, an acronym for proteolysis targeting chimera, or BacPROTAC, when applied to bacteria. A study led by Austrian and German scientists has demonstrated the effectiveness of this technique in eliminating the tuberculosis pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). The finding opens the door to the BacPROTAC strategy as an alternative to the development of drugs against this microorganism.
Nanjing Zhihe Pharmaceutical Technology Co. Ltd. has described nucleotide derivatives acting as prodrugs reported to be useful for the treatment of viral infections.
The Research Foundation of State University of New York has identified compounds targeting the synthesis of fungal sphingolipids, particularly ceramide glucosyltransferase (glucosylceramide) inhibitors, reported to be useful for the treatment of fungal infections.
Rnaimmune Inc., a nonwholly owned subsidiary of Sirnaomics Ltd., has received clearance from the FDA for its IND application to conduct a phase I trial for RV-1730, a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine booster candidate.
A Blacksmith Medicines Inc. patent describes the development of prodrugs of UDP-3-O-(R-3-hydroxymyristoyl)-N-acetylglucosamine deacetylase (LpxC) (bacterial) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Turbinmicin analogues reported to be useful for the treatment of fungal infections have been described in a recent Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) patent.