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

Despite major advances in the β-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 <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i>. 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 (<b>35</b>). 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 <b>35</b> is a promising agent for use in combination with a β-lactam antibiotic for the treatment of a wide range of multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections, by both intravenous and oral administration.