Discovery of a Novel Metallo-β-Lactamase Inhibitor That Potentiates Meropenem Activity against Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae

Abstract

Infections caused by carbapenem-resistant <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> (CRE) are increasingly prevalent and have become a major worldwide threat to human health. Carbapenem resistance is driven primarily by the acquisition of β-lactamase enzymes, which are able to degrade carbapenem antibiotics (hence termed carbapenemases) and result in high levels of resistance and treatment failure. Clinically relevant carbapenemases include both serine β-lactamases (SBLs; e.g., KPC-2 and OXA-48) and metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs), such as NDM-1. MBL-producing strains are endemic within the community in many Asian countries, have successfully spread worldwide, and account for many significant CRE outbreaks. Recently approved combinations of β-lactam antibiotics with β-lactamase inhibitors are active only against SBL-producing pathogens. Therefore, new drugs that specifically target MBLs and which restore carbapenem efficacy against MBL-producing CRE pathogens are urgently needed. Here we report the discovery of a novel MBL inhibitor, ANT431, that can potentiate the activity of meropenem (MEM) against a broad range of MBL-producing CRE and restore its efficacy against an <i>Escherichia coli</i> NDM-1-producing strain in a murine thigh infection model. This is a strong starting point for a chemistry lead optimization program that could deliver a first-in-class MBL inhibitor-carbapenem combination. This would complement the existing weaponry against CRE and address an important and growing unmet medical need.