ABOUT TXA709
The lead candidate for TAXIS is TXA709, designed for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a major contributor to the global antibiotic resistance problem. TXA709 inhibits the bacterial protein FtsZ, which plays an essential role in bacterial cell division and survival, distinguishing it from any drug currently in clinical use.
ABOUT FTSZ: A NOVEL TARGET
Bacterial cell division and multiplication occurs through formation of a FtsZ ring, a ring-like structure at the site of cell division. FtsZ is an appealing antibacterial target because it is essential for bacterial survival across many species. Currently available antibiotics do not target cell division processes.
TACKLING THE ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE CRISIS:
Overuse and misuse of antibiotic agents have led to the spread of resistant bacteria, posing a serious global health risk that the World Health Organization (WHO) describes as one of the greatest healthcare challenges. TAXIS is focused on developing a new class of antibiotic agents to treat life-threatening, multi-drug resistant bacterial infections.
ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE: FACTS & FIGURES
At least 2 million people in the United States acquire serious, antibiotic resistant infections every year
Centers for Disease Control, Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2013. http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/pdf/ar-threats-2013-508.pdf. Accessed August 5, 2015.
ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE: FACTS & FIGURES
At least 23,000 people die each year in the United States as a result of antibiotic-resistant infections
Centers for Disease Control, Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2013. http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/pdf/ar-threats-2013-508.pdf. Accessed August 5, 2015.
ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE: FACTS & FIGURES
Up to 50% of all antibiotics prescribed are not needed or not optimally effective as prescribed
Centers for Disease Control, Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2013. http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/pdf/ar-threats-2013-508.pdf. Accessed August 5, 2015.
ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE: FACTS & FIGURES
The average cost of treating a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA infection exceeds ~$35,000 per case
The Journal of Healthcare Contracting, Looking for MRSA. http://www.journalofhealthcarecontracting.com/article-marapr2008-lookingformrsa.asp. Accessed August 5, 2015
ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE: FACTS & FIGURES
1 in 10 hospitalized patients in the United States will acquire an infection reflecting an economic burden of $6.7B
Plowman RP, Graves N, Roberts JA. Hospital acquired infection. London Office of Health Economics; 1997
ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE: FACTS & FIGURES
No major new types of antibiotics have been developed in the last 30 years
World Health Organization, Antimicrobial Resistance: Global Report on Surveillance 2014. http://www.who.int/drugresistance/documents/surveillancereport/en/. Accessed August 5, 2015
ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE: FACTS & FIGURES
MRSA represents 5% of the total cases of antibiotic resistance each year, but accounts for nearly half of the mortalities
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Active Bacterial Core Surveillance http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/abcs/meth-case.htm. Accessed August 20, 2015
Mission Statement
Our mission is to discover and develop unique therapeutic agents to address the global health crisis of antimicrobial resistance.