Transcriptomic analysis of the response of Mycobacterium abscessus to a new drug candidate

VOMG is a new molecule with high bactericidal activity against Mycobacterium abscessus (Mab) which is the pathogen of greatest concern among non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) due to its intrinsic drug resistance and poses a threat especially to individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). VOMG is also active against Mab biofilm and other NTMs including multi-drug resistant clinical isolates and other CF pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii. VOMG is active in Mab-infected mice, similar to amikacin, the comparator drug. It is non-toxic by intragastric administration in healthy mice; preliminary pharmacokinetics studies have shown that it has high bioavailability. In vitro studies have proven that VOMG can be used for combination therapy.This transcriptomic study allowed to analysize response of (Mab) to exposure to two concentrations of VOMG, revealing that treatment inhibits essential metabolic pathways, such as cell division (CD).