TAXIS Pharmaceuticals is researching new classes of anti-resistance agents that employ novel mechanisms of action.

We are focusing our science on the disruption of the foundation of bacterial cell wall architecture — including construction, maintenance, and growth — to address elemental drug resistance mechanisms. Here are some of the most promising treatments in our current pipeline.

TAXIS Pharmaceuticals currently has three investigational therapies in our pipeline:

  1. FtsZ inhibitors are a class of compounds that target the bacterial protein FtsZ, which plays a crucial role in cell division. By disrupting FtsZ function, these inhibitors prevent the formation of the bacterial cell’s division machinery, ultimately inhibiting bacterial growth and reproduction.
    More about FtsZ inhibitors.
  2. Efflux Pump Inhibitors (EPIs) which represent a new drug class against Gram-negative multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens.
    More about Efflux Pump Inhibitors.
  3. Dihydrofolate Reductase Inhibitors (DHRIs) which  block the activity of the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase, essential for bacterial and human cell growth.
    More about Dihydrofolate Reductase Inhibitors.

FtsZ Inhibitors

FtsZ inhibitors are a class of compounds that target the bacterial protein FtsZ, which plays a crucial role in cell division. By disrupting FtsZ function, these inhibitors prevent the formation of the bacterial cell’s division machinery, ultimately inhibiting bacterial growth and reproduction. This approach represents a promising strategy for developing new antibiotics to combat.

TXA709 – Our First Ftsz Inhibitor Candidate

  • TXA709, TAXIS’ lead product candidate, is a novel target – first-ever product to target FtsZ proteins.
  • Oral anti-MRSA agent that completed a Phase I clinical trial with no serious adverse events.
  • Ongoing research focuses on disrupting bacterial cell wall architecture to address drug resistance mechanisms.
  • TXA709 is developed as an anti-resistance drug for combination therapy with obsolete antibiotics.
  • Targets the FtsZ bacterial cell division protein, offering potential for future development against Gram-negative bacteria.
  • Designated a Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) by the FDA in September 2016.
  • Regulatory incentives include eligibility for Fast Track designation, priority review, and extended marketing exclusivity under the GAIN Act.
How TXA709 – Our First Ftsz Inhibitor Candidate - works

Efflux Pump Inhibitors

Bacteria cells are equipped with efflux pumps, which act like bilge pumps, flushing antibiotics out of the bacterial cell, and are responsible for antibiotic resistance in many gram-negative strains. EPIs inhibit the function of those pumps, thereby preventing the antibiotic from being flushed out of the bacterial cells.

Our Efflux Pump Inhibitors (EPIs) represent a new drug class against Gram-negative multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens.

  • Bacterial efflux pumps act like bilge pumps, flushing antibiotics out of the bacterial cell. As foreign compounds, such as antibiotics, penetrate the bacterial cell wall, the efflux pumps recognize them and pump them out. As a result, the antibiotics never reach sufficiently high concentrations inside the cell to kill the bacteria, thereby resulting in antibiotic resistance.
  • TAXIS Pharmaceuticals EPIs have shown that they can resurrect the activity, potency, and effectiveness of multiple classes of antibiotics by inhibiting the function of these efflux pumps.
  • Current data reveals synergy with 28 currently approved and marketed antibiotics that no longer work or now require high doses to have any effect.
Efflux Pump Inhibitors - how they work schematically

Dihydrofolate Reductase Inhibitors (DHRIs)

Compounds that block the activity of the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase, essential for bacterial and human cell growth.

By inhibiting this enzyme, these inhibitors disrupt the production of DNA and RNA, effectively halting bacterial replication and growth.