ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS

Antimicrobial agents active against multi-resistant Gram-positive bact eria are considered to be of major commercial potential. Commercially viable agents that have been included in recent successful trials incl ude the streptogramins, novel glycopeptides, oxazolidinones and potent quinolones. Cationic peptides have generated much interest, but their utility as successful drug candidates remains questionable. Novel com pound classes for possible exploitation include non-beta-lactam beta-l actamase inhibitors, inhibitors of lipid A biosynthesis and tRNA synth etase inhibitors. (C) Current Biology Ltd ISSN 1367-5931.