Gepotidacin: a novel, oral, ‘first-in-class’ triazaacenaphthylene antibiotic for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections and urogenital gonorrhoea

The ongoing spread of antimicrobial resistance has made the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) and urogenital gonorrhoea increasingly difficult. New oral treatment options are urgently needed. Gepotidacin (previously GSK2140944) is a novel, bactericidal, oral, 'first-in-class' triazaacenaphthylene antibiotic that inhibits bacterial DNA replication by blocking two essential topoisomerase enzymes. Mutations in both enzymes would likely be necessary for resistance to occur, thus raising hopes that the drug will be able to maintain long-term effectiveness. Data from Phase II clinical trials of gepotidacin in UTIs and urogenital gonorrhoea appear promising, and Phase III trials are underway. In this review we summarize the development of gepotidacin and discuss its potential role in clinical practice. If approved, gepotidacin will be the first new oral antibiotic for UTIs in more than 20 years.