Preclinical candidates and targets for tuberculosis therapy.

: Like many neglected diseases of the developing world, tuberculosis (TB) has a thin portfolio of new compounds currently in the discovery pipeline with near-term clinical potential. Co-development of broad-spectrum antibacterials for TB indications is superficially attractive but unlikely to result in significant advances in therapy. Genomic information has been useful in the redesign of second-line antituberculars such as ethambutol and such molecules will likely soon enter preclinical development. New targets and lead compounds with activity against the mycobacterial cell wall and non-replicating bacilli are the subject of current discovery programs.