Discovery of Cyclic Boronic Acid QPX7728, an Ultrabroad-Spectrum Inhibitor of Serine and Metallo-β-lactamases

Despite major advances in the beta-lactamase inhibitor field, certain enzymes remain refractory to inhibition by agents recently introduced. Most important among these are the Class B (metallo) enzyme NDM-1 of Enterobacteriaceae and the Class D (OXA) enzymes of Acinetobacter baumannii. Continuing the boronic acid program that led to vaborbactam, efforts were directed toward expanding the spectrum to allow treatment of a wider range of organisms. Through key structural modifications of a bicyclic lead, stepwise gains in spectrum of inhibition were achieved, ultimately resulting in QPX7728 (35). This compound displays a remarkably broad spectrum of inhibition, including Class B and Class D enzymes, and is little affected by porin modifications and efflux. Compound 35 is a promising agent for use in combination with a beta-lactam antibiotic for the treatment of a wide range of multidrug resistant gram-negative bacterial infections, by both intravenous and oral administration.