Small Molecule Benzothiophene with In Vivo Efficacy in a Mouse Model of Drug-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Infection

J Med Chem. 2024 Jan 25;67(2):1384-1392. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01846. Epub 2024 Jan 15.

Abstract

Hospital-acquired infections, caused by ESKAPE bacteria, are a challenging global public health concern, in part due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains. While profiling a diverse set of compounds for in vitro activity versus this class of bacteria, we noted that the benzothiophene JSF-2827 exhibited promising antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecium. A hit evolution campaign ensued, involving the design, synthesis, and biological assay of analogues designed to address early issues such as a short mouse liver microsome half-life and a modest mouse pharmacokinetic profile. Among these derivatives, JSF-3269 was found to exhibit an enhanced profile and in vivo efficacy in an immunocompetent mouse model of acute, drug-resistant E. faecium infection. The findings suggest a rationale for the further evolution of this promising series to afford a novel therapeutic strategy to treat drug-resistant E. faecium infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Enterococcus faecium*
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections* / drug therapy
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections* / microbiology
  • Mice
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Thiophenes / pharmacology
  • Thiophenes / therapeutic use

Substances

  • benzothiophene
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Thiophenes