Introductory History of Antimicrobial Drugs -- Marketed Major Classes of Compounds -- The Rise of Antibiotic Resistance/Resistance Mechanisms to Major Classes -- Clinical Issues of Resistance: “Worst Offenders” List of Problematic Microbes -- Antibiotic Discovery -- Antibiotic Drug Development -- The Economics and Incentives of Antibiotic Drug Discovery.

This volume covers major aspects of the antibiotic discovery and development process. The contributors, a group of highly experienced individuals in both academics and industry, include chapters on the historical perspectives of antibiotic discovery, the need for new antibiotic compounds,strategies for screening for new antibiotics, sources of novel synthetic and natural antibiotics, discovery phases of lead development and optimization, and candidate compound nominations into development. Significant attention is given to existing antibiotics, their resistance mechanisms, and new efforts to overcome resistance within these classes.  Beyond discovery, the book covers the studies to prepare for IND submission and NDA filings. This book walks the reader through virtually all aspects of antibiotic discovery, which has never been done before in a single reference. With the alarming rise in antibiotic resistance and the increasing view that a crisis may be looming in infectious diseases, there are strong signs of renewed emphasis in antibiotic research. The purpose of the book is to offer a detailed overview of all aspects of the problem posed by antibiotic discovery and development.