Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a prevalent health concern for women; a significant proportion will experience one in their lives. Post-menopausal women are particularly vulnerable due to reduced estrogen levels, which can decrease the amount of protective bacteria that fight infection-causing bacteria.
On March 25th, the FDA granted approval for gepotidacin, the first novel antibiotic in three decades designed to combat UTIs. This medication specifically targets E. coli, the primary cause of uncomplicated UTIs in women.
Blujepa, the drug’s brand name, employs a unique mechanism compared to existing antibiotics. It targets two enzymes that E. coli utilizes to replicate itself through a process involving DNA circles. During this process, DNA can become tangled, but the bacteria possess the ability to untangle them. Blujepa disrupts this untangling process, thereby hindering bacterial replication and the spread of infection.
According to Tony Wood, GSK’s chief scientific officer (the company that produces Blujepa), this mechanism is specific to E. coli. He mentioned in a press briefing that this targeted approach may reduce the likelihood of bacteria developing resistance to the drug. Current UTI antibiotics often affect a wide range of bacteria, increasing the potential for resistance.
Clinical trials submitted to the FDA showed that Blujepa was as effective or slightly more effective than nitrofurantoin, a commonly prescribed UTI antibiotic. In the two studies, Blujepa successfully treated 50% and 58% of women with infections, while nitrofurantoin achieved success rates of 43% and 47%.
GSK is also investigating the potential of the drug to treat other E. coli infections, including gonorrhea, according to Wood.
The company is also developing another antibiotic for complicated UTIs, where the infection extends beyond the bladder to other tissues. These infections often require hospitalization and extended treatment. This new drug could potentially decrease hospital admissions or shorten hospital stays for patients requiring intensive care.
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