Therapeutic potential of FtsZ inhibition: a patent perspective

INTRODUCTION: Filamentous temperature sensitive mutant Z (FtsZ), an essential protein for bacterial cell division, has emerged as an attractive therapeutic target for the development of efficacious antibacterial agents active against drug-sensitive and drug-resistant bacterial strains. Recently, FtsZ has garnered special attention in the antibacterial research field, which is evident by the amount of research papers and patents disclosed in the public domain. Because of the significance of FtsZ as a highly promising target for the development of novel antibacterial agents, it is timely to review the patents on this subject so far published to date. AREAS COVERED: This review article covers the patent literature on FtsZ-targeting potential antibacterial agents up to November 2010, including their pharmacological findings. EXPERT OPINION: Since FtsZ is well preserved in various bacteria, the FtsZ-targeting agents would act as novel broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs in addition to their use against particular bacteria, especially drug-resistant strains. Based on the increasing interest and advancement in this field of research, it looks almost certain that a good number of clinical candidates targeting FtsZ will emerge in the near future.