A semi-synthetic kanglemycin shows in vivo efficacy against high-burden rifampicin resistant pathogens.

Semi-synthetic rifamycin derivatives such as rifampicin (Rif) are first line treatments for tuberculosis and other bacterial infections. Historically, synthetic modifications made to the C-3/C-4 region of the rifamycin naphthoquinone, like those seen in Rif, have yielded the biggest improvements in pharmacological properties. However, modifications found in natural product rifamycin congeners occur at other positions in the structure. The kanglemycins (Kangs) are a family of rifamycin congeners with a unique collection of natural modifications including a dimethylsuccinic acid appended to their polyketide backbone. These modifications confer activity against the single most common clinically relevant Rif resistance (RifR) mutation in the antibiotic's target, the bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP). Here we evaluate the in vivo efficacy of Kang A, the parent compound in the Kang family, in a murine model of bacterial peritonitis/sepsis. We then set out to improve its potency by combining its natural tailoring modifications with semi-synthetic derivatizations at either its acid moiety or in the C-3/C-4 region. A collection of C-3/C-4 benzoxazino Kang derivatives exhibit improved activity against wild-type bacteria, and acquire activity against the second most common clinically relevant RifR mutation. The semisynthetic analog 3'-hydroxy-5'-[4-isobutyl-1-piperazinyl] benzoxazino Kang A (Kang KZ) protected mice against infection with either Rif sensitive MRSA or a highly virulent RifR S. aureus strain in a neutropenic peritonitis/sepsis model and led to reduced bacterial burdens. The compounds generated in this study may represent promising candidates for treating RifR infections.