Acute bacterial skin and skin structure
infections (ABSSSIs) are one of the most common types of
infections due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The standard of care for ABSSSI includes
glycopeptides such as
vancomycin,
teicoplanin,
oxazolidinones and
fluoroquinolones, which are potent broad-spectrum
antibacterial agents. Unfortunately, due to indiscriminate utilization, resistance to these agents is rising and identification of novel agents is an urgent unmet medical need. In this context,
levonadifloxacin (WCK-771) is a novel, hydrate
arginine salt of
nadifloxacin with improved bactericidal activity against MRSA as well as
fluoroquinolone-resistant S. aureus by targeting
bacterial DNA supercoiling
enzymes DNA gyrase and
topoisomerase IV.
Levonadifloxacin displays a broad-spectrum bactericidal activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, atypical bacteria, anaerobic bacteria and bioterror pathogens with a very low frequency of mutation.
Levonadifloxacin also displays improved activity under low pH biofilm environments. The
drug has successfully completed phase I, phase II and phase III clinical trials in India. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted a Qualified
Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) designation to
levonadifloxacin for the treatment of MRSA
infections in August 2014.