Note: This data visualization was originally published in February 2014.
As of December 2019, approximately 41 new antibiotics with the potential to treat serious bacterial infections were in clinical development and four were approved since the previous update in June 2019.
The below interactive resource – based on publicly available information and informed by external experts and company communication – focuses exclusively on small molecule products that act systemically (drugs that work throughout the body), contain at least one component not previously approved, and have the potential to treat serious or life-threatening infections. To view subsets of antibiotics in development, use filter options below.
Please contact [email protected] with additions or updates.
April 2020 (XLSX) | September 2019 (PDF) | March 2019 (PDF) | September 2018 (PDF) | September 2017 (PDF) | March 2017 (PDF) | September 2016 (PDF) | March 2016 (PDF) | September 2015 (PDF) | March 2015 (PDF) | December 2014 (PDF) | September 2014 (PDF) | June 2014 (PDF) | February 2014 (PDF)
Drug-resistant bacteria, or superbugs, present a serious and worsening threat to human health. According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2.8 million Americans acquire serious infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria each year, and 35,000 of them die as a result.
By development phase
By expected activity against CDC urgent or WHO critical threat pathogens
By novel class or target
filtered results
Novel class or target
QIDP-designated
not QIDP
Drug name | Development phase | Company | Expected activity against ESKAPE pathogens? | Expected activity against CDC urgent or WHO critical threat pathogen? | Potential indication(s) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fetroja (cefiderocol) (Does not have novel class or target) | Approved Nov. 14, 2019 (U.S. FDA) | Shionogi & Co. Ltd. |
Yes: K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa, Enterobacter spp. |
Yes: CRE, CRAB, CRPA |
(Is QIDP-designated)12
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Lasvic (lascufloxacin) (Does not have novel class or target)Currently, there is no public information available indicating that Lasvic (lascufloxacin) is in development for the U.S. market. | Approved Sept. 20, 2019 (Japan PMDA) | Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. |
Yes: S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, Enterobacter spp. Possibly: A. baumannii |
No |
(Is not QIDP-designated)8
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Recarbrio (imipenem/ cilastatin + relebactam) (Does not have novel class or target) | Approved July 17, 2019 (U.S. FDA) | Merck & Co. Inc. |
Yes: K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, Enterobacter spp. |
Yes: CRE, CRPA |
(Is QIDP-designated)9
(Is QIDP-designated)12
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Xenleta (lefamulin) (Has novel class or target) | Approved Aug. 19, 2019 (U.S. FDA) | Nabriva Therapeutics PLC |
Yes: S. aureus |
Possibly: Drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae |
(Is QIDP-designated)8
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
WCK 771/WCK 2349 (levonadifloxacin, alalevonadifloxacin) (Does not have novel class or target)WCK 2349 (alalevonadifloxacin) is the prodrug form of the antibiotic. | New drug application submitted (India DCGI) | Wockhardt Ltd. |
Yes: S. aureus |
No |
(Is not QIDP-designated)2
(Is QIDP-designated)18
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Cefepime + enmetazobactam (Does not have novel class or target) | Phase 3 | Allecra Therapeutics GmbH |
Yes: K. pneumoniae, Enterobacter spp. |
Yes: ESBL Possibly: CRE |
(Is QIDP-designated)9
(Is QIDP-designated)12
(Is QIDP-designated)18
(Is QIDP-designated)27
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Cefepime + taniborbactam (VNRX-5133) (Does not have novel class or target) | Phase 3 | Venatorx Pharmaceuticals Inc. |
Yes: K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, Enterobacter spp. Possibly: S. aureus |
Yes: CRE Possibly: CRPA |
(Is QIDP-designated)10
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Cefilavancin (Does not have novel class or target)Currently, there is no public information available indicating that cefilavancin is in development for the U.S. market. | Phase 3 Information not currently registered on a clinical trial registry. Information obtained from the company via a corporate website, news release, and/or direct communication. | R-Pharm |
Yes: S. aureus |
No |
(Is not QIDP-designated)2
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Ceftobiprole (Does not have novel class or target)Ceftobiprole has been approved for community-acquired pneumonia and hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia in outside markets. | Phase 3 | Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. |
Yes: S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, Enterobacter spp. Possibly: P. aeruginosa |
No |
(Is QIDP-designated)2
(Is QIDP-designated)8
(Is not QIDP-designated)18
(Is QIDP-designated)22
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Contezolid (MRX-I) & contezolid acefosamil (MRX-4) (Does not have novel class or target)Contezolid acefosamil (MRX-4) is the prodrug form of the antibiotic. | Phase 3 Information not currently registered on a clinical trial registry. Information obtained from the company via a corporate website, news release, and/or direct communication. | MicuRx Pharmaceuticals Inc. |
Yes: E. faecium, S. aureus |
No |
(Is QIDP-designated)2
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Gepotidacin (GSK2140944) (Has novel class or target) | Phase 3 | GlaxoSmithKline PLC |
Yes: S. aureus |
Yes: Drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae Possibly: ESBL |
(Is QIDP-designated)25
(Is QIDP-designated)26
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Iclaprim (Does not have novel class or target) | Phase 3 Information not currently registered on a clinical trial registry. Information obtained from the company via a corporate website, news release, and/or direct communication. | Motif Bio PLC |
Yes: S. aureus |
No |
(Is QIDP-designated)2
(Is QIDP-designated)18
(Is not QIDP-designated)27
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Ridinilazole (Has novel class or target) | Phase 3 | Summit Therapeutics PLC | No |
Yes: C. difficile |
(Is QIDP-designated)6
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Sulbactam + durlobactam (Does not have novel class or target) | Phase 3 | Entasis Therapeutics Inc. |
Yes: A. baumannii |
Yes: CRAB |
(Is not QIDP-designated)4
(Is not QIDP-designated)11
(Is QIDP-designated)18
(Is QIDP-designated)27
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Sulopenem/ sulopenem- etzadroxil- probenecid (Does not have novel class or target)Sulopenem- etzadroxil- probenecid is the prodrug form of the antibiotic. | Phase 3 | Iterum Therapeutics PLC |
Yes: K. pneumoniae, Enterobacter spp. |
Yes: ESBL, Drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae |
(Is QIDP-designated)1
(Is QIDP-designated)8
(Is QIDP-designated)9
(Is QIDP-designated)10
(Is QIDP-designated)15
(Is QIDP-designated)20
(Is QIDP-designated)25
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
T-4288 (solithromycin) (Does not have novel class or target)Currently, there is no public information available indicating that T-4288 (solithromycin) is in development for the U.S. market. | Phase 3 Information not currently registered on a clinical trial registry. Information obtained from the company via a corporate website, news release, and/or direct communication. | Toyama Chemical Co. Ltd. | No |
Yes: Drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae |
(Is QIDP-designated)8
(Is QIDP-designated)26
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Tebipenem/ tebipenem pivoxil hydrobromide (Does not have novel class or target)Tebipenem pivoxil hydrobromide is the prodrug form of the antibiotic.; Tebipenem (Orapenem) has been approved for pneumonia, otitis media, and sinusitis in Japan. | Phase 3 | Spero Therapeutics Inc. |
Yes: K. pneumoniae Possibly: A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa |
Yes: ESBL |
(Is not QIDP-designated)3
(Is QIDP-designated)8
(Is QIDP-designated)10
(Is QIDP-designated)14
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Zoliflodacin (ETX0914) (Has novel class or target) | Phase 3 | Entasis Therapeutics Inc. |
Yes: S. aureus |
Yes: Drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae |
(Is QIDP-designated)24
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Afabicin (Debio 1450) (Has novel class or target) | Phase 2 | Debiopharm International SA |
Yes: S. aureus |
No |
(Is QIDP-designated)2
(Is QIDP-designated)5
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
ARV-1801 (fusidic acid) (Does not have novel class or target)ARV-1801 (fusidic acid) has been approved for acute bacterial skin and soft tissue infections in outside markets. | Phase 2 Information not currently registered on a clinical trial registry. Information obtained from the company via a corporate website, news release, and/or direct communication. | Arrevus Inc. |
Yes: S. aureus |
No |
(Is not QIDP-designated)13
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Benapenem (Does not have novel class or target)Currently, there is no public information available indicating that benapenem is in development for the U.S. market. | Phase 2 Information not currently registered on a clinical trial registry. Information obtained from the company via a corporate website, news release, and/or direct communication. | Sihuan Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. |
Yes: Enterobacter spp. |
No |
(Is not QIDP-designated)8
(Is not QIDP-designated)10
(Is not QIDP-designated)19
(Is not QIDP-designated)23
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
BOS-228 (Does not have novel class or target) | Phase 2 Information not currently registered on a clinical trial registry. Information obtained from the company via a corporate website, news release, and/or direct communication. | Boston Pharmaceuticals Inc. |
Yes: K. pneumoniae, Enterobacter spp. |
Yes: CRE |
(Is QIDP-designated)9
(Is QIDP-designated)10
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Brilacidin (Has novel class or target) | Phase 2 | Innovation Pharmaceuticals Inc. |
Yes: S. aureus |
No |
(Is QIDP-designated)2
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
CG-549 (Has novel class or target) | Phase 2 | CrystalGenomics Inc. |
Yes: S. aureus |
No |
(Is not QIDP-designated)2
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
DNV3837/ DNV3681 (Does not have novel class or target)DNV3837 is the prodrug form of the antibiotic. | Phase 2 | Deinove SA | No |
Yes: C. difficile |
(Is QIDP-designated)6
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Finafloxacin (Does not have novel class or target)In February 2015, FDA approved an otic suspension formulation of finafloxacin to treat acute otitis externa. Because a systemic formulation of finafloxacin has not received approval in any country, this drug remains listed in our pipeline. | Phase 2 | MerLion Pharmaceuticals GmbH |
Yes: S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii Possibly: Enterobacter spp. |
Possibly: ESBL |
(Is QIDP-designated)2
(Is QIDP-designated)9
(Is QIDP-designated)12
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
MGB-BP-3 (Has novel class or target) | Phase 2 | MGB Biopharma Ltd. |
Possibly: E. faecium, S. aureus |
Yes: C. difficile |
(Is QIDP-designated)6
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Nafithromycin (WCK 4873) (Does not have novel class or target) | Phase 2 | Wockhardt Ltd. |
Yes: S. aureus |
No |
(Is QIDP-designated)8
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Taigexyn (nemonoxacin) (Does not have novel class or target)Taigexyn (nemonoxacin) has been approved for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia in Taiwan, Province of China and China. | Phase 2 | TaiGen Biotechnology Co. |
Yes: S. aureus |
No |
(Is QIDP-designated)2
(Is QIDP-designated)8
(Is QIDP-designated)14
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
TNP-2092 (Does not have novel class or target) | Phase 2 | TenNor Therapeutics Ltd. |
Yes: E. faecium, S. aureus |
Yes: C. difficile Possibly: Drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae |
(Is QIDP-designated)2
(Is QIDP-designated)7
(Is QIDP-designated)21
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Apramycin (Does not have novel class or target) | Phase 1 | Juvabis AG |
Yes: K. pneumoniae, Enterobacter spp. |
Yes: CRE |
(Is not QIDP-designated)16
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
CRS3123 (Has novel class or target) | Phase 1 | Crestone Inc. |
Yes: E. faecium, S. aureus |
Yes: C. difficile |
(Is not QIDP-designated)6
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Delpazolid (LCB01-0371) (Does not have novel class or target)Delpazolid (LCB01-0371) is also in development for tuberculosis but remains in the pipeline because it is being developed for bacterial infections. | Phase 1 | LegoChem Biosciences Inc. (Shanghai HaiHe Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd./ CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. licensees) |
Yes: E. faecium, S. aureus |
No |
(Is not QIDP-designated)17
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
ETX0282CPDP/ ETX1317 (Does not have novel class or target)ETX0282CPDP is the prodrug form of the antibiotic. | Phase 1 | Entasis Therapeutics Inc. |
Yes: K. pneumoniae, Enterobacter spp. |
Yes: CRE |
(Is not QIDP-designated)10
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Ibezapolstat (ACX-362E) (Has novel class or target) | Phase 1 Information not currently registered on a clinical trial registry. Information obtained from the company via a corporate website, news release, and/or direct communication. | Acurx Pharmaceuticals LLC | No |
Yes: C. difficile |
(Is QIDP-designated)6
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
KBP-7072 (Does not have novel class or target) | Phase 1 | KBP BioSciences Pharmaceutical Technical Co. Ltd. |
Yes: A. baumannii Possibly: E. faecium, S. aureus |
Possibly: CRAB |
(Is QIDP-designated)8
(Is not QIDP-designated)18
(Is not QIDP-designated)27
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Meropenem + nacubactam (OP0595/ RG6080) (Does not have novel class or target) | Phase 1 | Meiji Seika Pharma Co. Ltd./ Fedora Pharmaceuticals Inc. |
Yes: K. pneumoniae, Enterobacter spp. Possibly: P. aeruginosa |
Yes: CRE |
(Is not QIDP-designated)10
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Oravance (QPX-2015 + QPX-7728) (Does not have novel class or target) | Phase 1 | Qpex Biopharma/ Brii Biosciences |
Possibly: Enterobacter spp. |
Possibly: CRE |
(Is not QIDP-designated)16
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
SPR206 (Does not have novel class or target) | Phase 1 | Spero Therapeutics Inc. |
Yes: K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa, Enterobacter spp. |
Yes: CRE, CRAB, CRPA |
(Is QIDP-designated)10
(Is QIDP-designated)18
(Is QIDP-designated)27
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
SPR741 (Does not have novel class or target)SPR741 is an antibiotic potentiator, which increases the entry, and therefore the efficacy, of antibiotics. The antibiotic for which SPR741 will be paired with has not been announced. | Phase 1 | Spero Therapeutics Inc. |
Possibly: K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii, Enterobacter spp. |
Possibly: CRE, CRAB, CRPA |
(Is not QIDP-designated)16
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
TP-271 (Does not have novel class or target) | Phase 1 | Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals Inc. |
Yes: S. aureus, A. baumannii |
Possibly: CRAB |
(Is QIDP-designated)8
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
TP-6076 (Does not have novel class or target) | Phase 1 | Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals Inc. |
Yes: K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii, Enterobacter spp. |
Yes: CRE, CRAB |
(Is not QIDP-designated)16
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
TXA709/ TXA707 (Has novel class or target)TXA709 is the prodrug form of the antibiotic. | Phase 1 Information not currently registered on a clinical trial registry. Information obtained from the company via a corporate website, news release, and/or direct communication. | Taxis Pharmaceuticals Inc. |
Yes: S. aureus |
No |
(Is QIDP-designated)2
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
VNRX-7145 + ceftibuten (Does not have novel class or target) | Phase 1 | Venatorx Pharmaceuticals Inc. |
Yes: Enterobacter spp. |
Yes: CRE |
(Is not QIDP-designated)16
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
WCK 5222 (cefepime + zidebactam) (Does not have novel class or target) | Phase 1 | Wockhardt Ltd. |
Yes: K. pneumoniae, Enterobacter spp. Possibly: S. aureus, A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa |
Yes: CRE Possibly: CRAB, CRPA |
(Is QIDP-designated)10
(Is QIDP-designated)18
(Is QIDP-designated)27
|
|||||||||||||
|
For definitions of drug development terms, visit https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2014/03/12/glossary-for-the-antibiotic-pipeline.
See the methodology section for further details.
For a multi-year analysis showing the evolution of the antibiotic pipeline since 2014, including candidates that have been removed, visit this interactive.
Receive our monthly news and action alerts on antibiotic resistance.