Telacebec

Telacebec is a first-in-class, orally active small molecule drug candidate developed for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB), including both drug-sensitive and multi-drug resistant forms. It acts by selectively inhibiting the cytochrome bc1 complex in *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*, a critical component of the bacterial electron transport chain, thereby disrupting ATP synthesis and leading to bacterial cell death. Telacebec has demonstrated potent activity against *M. tuberculosis* *in vitro* and *in vivo*, including efficacy against multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant strains at low nanomolar concentrations. Clinical trials have shown that telacebec is well tolerated with dose-proportional pharmacokinetics and significant early bactericidal activity in TB patients. The drug is also being explored for other mycobacterial infections such as leprosy (*M. leprae*) and Buruli ulcer (*M. ulcerans*). Telacebec has received Orphan Drug Designation and Fast Track Designation from the U.S. FDA. Telacebec is an imidazopyridine amide antibiotic with a novel mechanism distinct from existing anti-TB drugs like bedaquiline or delamanid. It shows synergy with bedaquiline in preclinical models. Clinical development includes Phase 2 studies for pulmonary TB; additional trials are ongoing or planned for leprosy and Buruli ulcer.

Other names

telacebecQ203Q-203Q 203