BB-3497

BB-3497 is a synthetic peptidomimetic small molecule that acts as a potent and selective inhibitor of peptide deformylase (PDF), an essential bacterial metalloenzyme responsible for deformylating the N-formylmethionine of newly synthesized polypeptides. By inhibiting PDF, BB-3497 disrupts bacterial protein synthesis, leading to bacteriostatic activity. It demonstrates in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity against a range of gram-positive bacteria—including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis—as well as some gram-negative bacteria. BB-3497 has also shown potent activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis with efficacy comparable to frontline anti-tuberculosis drugs. The compound is orally bioavailable and was developed as part of efforts to validate PDF as a novel antibacterial target[1][3][6][8].