🌍 Exciting News – Latest Tuberculosis Treatment Discovery Published in Nature!
Latest Tuberculosis treatment research has just been published in Nature! Johnson & Johnson report the discovery of JNJ-6640, a novel small-molecule inhibitor that targets de novo purine biosynthesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis — a breakthrough that could reshape the global fight against tuberculosis (TB).
Citation:
Nature, 2025 |
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🧬 Key Highlights
- JNJ-6640 is the first-in-class compound targeting PurF, the enzyme initiating purine biosynthesis in TB bacteria.
- It exhibits potent nanomolar bactericidal activity and disrupts DNA replication.
- Demonstrated in vivo efficacy in mouse models, showing potential for inclusion in Bedaquiline-based regimens.
Why It Matters
Tuberculosis (TB) remains the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, claiming 1.5 million lives annually, including over 250,000 children. This discovery represents a significant step forward in combating both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant strains of TB.
How JNJ-6640 Works
JNJ-6640 inhibits PurF — a key enzyme in the de novo purine biosynthesis pathway, essential for DNA, RNA, and energy metabolism. By blocking this enzyme, the survival of M. tuberculosis is drastically compromised under host-like conditions.
Microscopy data confirms downstream effects on DNA replication. Critically, nucleobase levels in lungs were too low to rescue TB from PurF inhibition, validating this target for drug development.
Clinical Promise & Next Steps
Proof-of-concept studies using long-acting injectable formulations show promising results. The compound’s inclusion in future treatment combinations for drug-resistant TB is under consideration.
Optimization is ongoing to enhance metabolic stability while maintaining efficacy. Researchers are exploring new analogues of the central pyrrolidine core for future drug candidates.
Broader Significance
This discovery is the latest in a tradition of breakthroughs like Bedaquiline, which revolutionized TB care. Validating PurF as a drug target opens new avenues in tackling TB using metabolic pathway disruption.
“In a world shaped by AI and science cooperation, no one should be dying of TB.”
🔗 Read the full Nature article
🫁 Let’s move toward #EndTB2035.
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