a Case Study on the Decision-Making Behind the Development of Linezolid, Daptomycin, and Lysobactin.

Abstract

After the "golden era" of antibiotic discovery in the 1950' and 1960's pharmaceutical companies failed to discover novel antibiotic classes leading them to abandon research in spite of the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. In the late 1980 three novel antibiotics: linezolid, daptomycin, and lysobactin, were discovered but all three founding companies terminated the programs early. Soon after, linezolid and daptoymycin were resumed by new companies and turned into blockbuster drugs. This thesis investigates what factors led to the termination and subsequent initiation of these important programs and how we can learn from the decision-making. Specifically, the importance of key leaders, risk-taking, timing, therapeutic focus, and scientific expertise are highlighted using these case studies and provides a framework for future antibiotic development programs.