Antimicrobial compounds

US6713654B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine · US

Inventors

• Craig A. Townsend · Baltimore, US
• James D. Dick · Upperco, US
• Gary R. Pasternack · Baltimore, US
• Francis P. Kuhajda · Baltimore, US
• Nicole Parrish · Peterstown, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 28, 2000
• Grant date: Mar 30, 2004
• Expiry date: Aug 28, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C317/44
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

This invention provides methods for treating a mycobacterial infection by administering to an animal a pharmaceutical composition containing a compound having the formula R—SOn—Z—CO—Y, where R is an alkyl group having 6-20 carbons; Z is a radical selected from —CH2—, —O—, and —NH—, two of these radicals coupled together, or —CH2═CH2—; Y is —NH2, O—CH2—C6H5, —CO—CO—O—CH3, or O—CH3; and n is 1 or 2. It has been discovered that these compounds inhibit growth of microbial cells which synthesize &agr;-substitued, &bgr;-hydroxy fatty acids, particularly corynemycolic acid, nocardic acid, and mycolic acid. These compounds may be used to inhibit growth of mycobacterial cells, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, drug-resistant M. tuberculosis, M. avium intracellulare, and M. leprae.