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Antibacterial Alternatives to a Dying Antibiotic Pipeline

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Abstract

Purpose of review

This study summarized the current problems and potential solutions related to the rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria, the lack of antibiotics, and new avenues of research in developing new antimicrobial alternatives, such as using bacteriocins, bacteriophage therapy, antimicrobial peptides, and nanoparticles.

Recent findings

Advances in the research of alternative antimicrobial agents in emerging with promising results. These alternative antimicrobials are still developing, and more research is required to bring these products to clinical applications.

Summary

A dramatic increase in the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria is challenging the research community to find new antimicrobial agents. Multifactorial events have contributed to this emergence, including the lack of research and development of new antibiotics in pharmaceutical companies, the rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria, and the misuse of antibiotics. Another factor exacerbating this problem is that most pharmaceutical companies have closed their antibiotic discovery pipelines. All these factors contributed to the appearance of more resistant pathogenic bacteria, alarming and burdening the health systems.

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Acknowledgements

The journal would like to thank Dr. Jillian Raybould for reviewing this manuscript.

Funding

This study was funded by the Antibody Engineering and Proteomics Facility, Immunity and Infection Research Centre, and University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

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  1. Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 410-2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3Z6, Canada

    Ana C. Lorenzo-Leal PhD & Horacio Bach PhD

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Lorenzo-Leal, A.C., Bach, H. Antibacterial Alternatives to a Dying Antibiotic Pipeline. Curr Treat Options Infect Dis 15, 61–88 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40506-023-00267-6

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