Natural Products
Human disease-causing microorganisms can become resistant to antibiotics over time and through overuse. Therefore the search for new antibiotics and medicines is a critical activity. One element of Cubist's work is the search for new medicines (antibiotics, drugs, medications) from natural sources. As part of their daily existence, microorganisms produce substances (both peptides and small molecules) that are known to have a variety of functions, including signaling to other microorganisms and as defense mechanisms against other species. It is these substances, these secondary metabolites, that are of interest pharmaceutically, since they are already biologically active by definition.
Drugs derived from soil microorganisms:
| Drug Class |
Therapeutic Use |
| Penicillins |
Anti-bacterial agents |
| Tetracyclines |
Anti-bacterial agents |
| Statins |
Cholesterol lowering agents |
| Glyco or Lipopeptides |
Anti-infective agents |
FAQs
Q
|
Why Natural Products?
|
A
|
More than 40% of the largest-selling pharmaceuticals on the market today are derived from naturally occurring substances. For example, in the area of antiinfectives, there are 4 natural products with annual sales over $1 billion Augmentin, Zithromax, Biaxin and Rocephin.
|
|
Q
|
What makes Cubists approach to the search for natural products unique?
|
A
|
Combined with our focus on natural products, Cubist has developed a set of assay technologies which can eliminate the rediscovery of known drug molecules. Thus our scientists are devoting more time to novel bioactivities and chemistry.
|
