{"entity": "researcher", "timestamp": "2026-08-20T20:40:53.746Z", "family": "Reddy", "given": "Nakita", "initials": "N", "orcid": "0000-0003-4428-2241", "affiliations": ["Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Catalysis and Peptide Research Unit, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4000, South Africa."], "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/8c720c72b0734659b2cc966792015076.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/8c720c72b0734659b2cc966792015076"}}, "publications": [{"entity": "publication", "iuid": "caac645f3ad74eb9b54a651f17f6c376", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/caac645f3ad74eb9b54a651f17f6c376.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/caac645f3ad74eb9b54a651f17f6c376"}}, "title": "Navigating the complexities of drug development for metallo-\u03b2-lactamase inhibitors.", "authors": [{"family": "Reddy", "given": "Nakita", "initials": "N", "orcid": "0000-0003-4428-2241", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/8c720c72b0734659b2cc966792015076.json"}}, {"family": "Balieiro", "given": "Alessandra Moraes", "initials": "AM", "orcid": "0000-0001-6234-0199", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/1c8bb61ff4f0436fa8ff32cd1a1a040d.json"}}, {"family": "Silva", "given": "Jos\u00e9 Rog\u00e9rio A", "initials": "JRA", "orcid": "0000-0003-2310-5107", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/ca2e04ed46b344e094e039fd16abdf8e.json"}}, {"family": "Gouws", "given": "Christiaan A", "initials": "CA"}, {"family": "Mutshembele", "given": "Awelani", "initials": "A", "orcid": "0000-0003-0369-5728", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/47cb39ad14d945a28da5d9dcae9b3b60.json"}}, {"family": "Arvidsson", "given": "Per I", "initials": "PI", "orcid": "0000-0002-9453-6812", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/84789ce64d004c83919336cdf43c903e.json"}}, {"family": "Kruger", "given": "Hendrik G", "initials": "HG", "orcid": "0000-0003-0606-2053", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/88f669867879452ca86ab92c27fd285c.json"}}, {"family": "Govender", "given": "Thavendran", "initials": "T"}, {"family": "Naicker", "given": "Tricia", "initials": "T", "orcid": "0000-0002-7134-6258", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/f5b1b1625e8c43859647736baa3e83d9.json"}}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2025-08-13", "journal": {"title": "RSC Med Chem", "issn": "2632-8682", "volume": "16", "issue": "8", "pages": "3393-3415", "issn-l": null}, "abstract": "The rising antibiotic resistance rates, especially among carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales with metallo-\u03b2-lactamases (MBLs), highlight the urgent need for effective MBL inhibitors (MBLIs). Navigating the complexities of drug development for MBLIs requires addressing the significant challenges that have hindered its progress. Despite numerous efforts in pre-clinical development, the lack of standardized approaches has led to disparities, stalling the translation of potential MBLIs from research into clinical use. Alarmingly, there is only one metallo-\u03b2-lactamase inhibitory candidate in the pre-registration phase of development. This review highlights the need for a global consensus on key aspects of MBLI development, including standardized in vitro testing, refined animal models, harmonized toxicity assessments, consistent pharmacokinetic data, and uniform in silico methods. It also proposes solutions to these challenges, aiming to bridge the gap between research and clinical application.", "doi": "10.1039/d5md00035a", "pmid": "40521342", "labels": [], "xrefs": [{"db": "pmc", "key": "PMC12159872"}, {"db": "pii", "key": "d5md00035a"}], "notes": [], "created": "2026-08-20T09:28:01.226Z", "modified": "2026-08-20T09:28:01.435Z"}, {"entity": "publication", "iuid": "5ee73cdf9e7c4df0b2f1e52549cff3a8", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/5ee73cdf9e7c4df0b2f1e52549cff3a8.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/5ee73cdf9e7c4df0b2f1e52549cff3a8"}}, "title": "Development and in vitro evaluation of 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-coupled \u03b2-lactams against metallo-\u03b2-lactamase producing bacteria.", "authors": [{"family": "Shungube", "given": "Mbongeni", "initials": "M"}, {"family": "Reddy", "given": "Nakita", "initials": "N", "orcid": "0000-0003-4428-2241", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/8c720c72b0734659b2cc966792015076.json"}}, {"family": "Ghazi", "given": "Terisha", "initials": "T"}, {"family": "Govender", "given": "Kimberleigh B", "initials": "KB", "orcid": "0000-0003-2372-5365", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/ac4af1fdc8014145b709012f09fad215.json"}}, {"family": "Singh", "given": "Ravesh", "initials": "R"}, {"family": "Kajee", "given": "Afsana", "initials": "A"}, {"family": "Chuturgoon", "given": "Anil", "initials": "A", "orcid": "0000-0003-4649-4133", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/3af870f9207f43e5ae3b802495214724.json"}}, {"family": "Kruger", "given": "Hendrik G", "initials": "HG", "orcid": "0000-0003-0606-2053", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/88f669867879452ca86ab92c27fd285c.json"}}, {"family": "Arvidsson", "given": "Per I", "initials": "PI", "orcid": "0000-0002-9453-6812", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/84789ce64d004c83919336cdf43c903e.json"}}, {"family": "Tiwari", "given": "Dileep", "initials": "D"}, {"family": "Govender", "given": "Thavendran", "initials": "T"}, {"family": "Naicker", "given": "Tricia", "initials": "T", "orcid": "0000-0002-7134-6258", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/f5b1b1625e8c43859647736baa3e83d9.json"}}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2025-07-04", "journal": {"title": "RSC Adv.", "issn": "2046-2069", "volume": "15", "issue": "29", "pages": "23427-23440", "issn-l": "2046-2069"}, "abstract": "Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global issue, particularly against \u03b2-lactam antibiotics, which comprise over 60% of prescriptions. Metallo-\u03b2-lactamases (MBLs) are especially concerning as they inactivate nearly all \u03b2-lactams, except monobactams. Unlike serine-\u03b2-lactamases (SBLs), for which inhibitors exist, there are no clinically approved MBL inhibitors; only taniborbactam is in pre-registration. This study introduces eight new MBL inhibitors (13a-f, 14a-b), designed using a 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (NO3PY) chelator linked to a \u03b2-lactam. These inhibitors restored the efficacy of meropenem, reducing its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against MBL-expressing pathogens to <2 mg L-1. Time-kill assays confirmed bactericidal activity, with this series being non-toxic and highly specific, these compounds hold promising potential as MBL inhibitors.", "doi": "10.1039/d5ra01842k", "pmid": "40626067", "labels": [], "xrefs": [{"db": "pmc", "key": "PMC12230942"}, {"db": "pii", "key": "d5ra01842k"}], "notes": [], "created": "2026-08-20T09:28:15.994Z", "modified": "2026-08-20T09:28:16.135Z"}, {"entity": "publication", "iuid": "4ac8f8e029534d7ab11311450b1553c2", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/4ac8f8e029534d7ab11311450b1553c2.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/4ac8f8e029534d7ab11311450b1553c2"}}, "title": "Facile Synthesis of Oxazolidinones as Potential Antibacterial Agents.", "authors": [{"family": "Els", "given": "Secret P", "initials": "SP"}, {"family": "Govender", "given": "Kimberleigh B", "initials": "KB"}, {"family": "Sokhela", "given": "Mxolisi K", "initials": "MK"}, {"family": "Bhatt", "given": "Nilay", "initials": "N"}, {"family": "Reddy", "given": "Nakita", "initials": "N", "orcid": "0000-0003-4428-2241", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/8c720c72b0734659b2cc966792015076.json"}}, {"family": "Kruger", "given": "Hendrik G", "initials": "HG", "orcid": "0000-0003-0606-2053", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/88f669867879452ca86ab92c27fd285c.json"}}, {"family": "Arvidsson", "given": "Per I", "initials": "PI", "orcid": "0000-0002-9453-6812", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/84789ce64d004c83919336cdf43c903e.json"}}, {"family": "Gunosewoyo", "given": "Hendra", "initials": "H", "orcid": "0000-0003-3897-1948", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/f0b4c9d19e04464c933f01f32674c4b2.json"}}, {"family": "Govender", "given": "Thavendran", "initials": "T", "orcid": "0000-0003-2511-2503", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/77ef43839d9e476f95d124c9c34b81fa.json"}}, {"family": "Naicker", "given": "Tricia", "initials": "T", "orcid": "0000-0002-7134-6258", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/f5b1b1625e8c43859647736baa3e83d9.json"}}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2025-07-00", "journal": {"title": "ChemistryOpen", "issn": "2191-1363", "volume": "14", "issue": "7", "pages": "e202400432", "issn-l": "2191-1363"}, "abstract": "An efficient microwave-assisted synthesis route for novel oxazolidinone analogues has been developed. The general synthesis of these compounds began with an L-proline-mediated three-component Mannich reaction between commercially available 3-fluoro-4-morpholinoaniline, aqueous formaldehyde and \u03b1-hydroxyacetone. This was followed by a one-step cyclisation to form the core structure of oxazolidinone antibiotics which was subsequently derivatized. The novel compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against M. smegmatis. One of the novel oxazolidinone derivatives 18 a1 produced a MIC of 8 mg/L, comparable with the commercial Rifampicin. The methodology is a useful addition to the field since it can make highly sought-after oxazolidinone derivatives, using cheaper, less harsh commercially available reagents, in a short time and one pot.", "doi": "10.1002/open.202400432", "pmid": "39776351", "labels": [], "xrefs": [{"db": "pmc", "key": "PMC12256933"}], "notes": [], "created": "2026-08-20T06:34:41.927Z", "modified": "2026-08-20T06:34:42.075Z"}, {"entity": "publication", "iuid": "8614dee89659412aa9b3afb019db1a61", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/8614dee89659412aa9b3afb019db1a61.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/8614dee89659412aa9b3afb019db1a61"}}, "title": "Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel \u03b2-lactam-metallo \u03b2-lactamase inhibitors.", "authors": [{"family": "Shungube", "given": "Mbongeni", "initials": "M", "orcid": "0000-0001-8405-584X", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/1d0b9cb57fef4ce5bb7d3c3b04b54f7e.json"}}, {"family": "Hlophe", "given": "Ayanda K", "initials": "AK"}, {"family": "Girdhari", "given": "Letisha", "initials": "L", "orcid": "0000-0001-5841-2735", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/74d106eb83ef42fea7dc909edcde6337.json"}}, {"family": "Sabe", "given": "Victor T", "initials": "VT"}, {"family": "Peters", "given": "Byron B", "initials": "BB"}, {"family": "Reddy", "given": "Nakita", "initials": "N", "orcid": "0000-0003-4428-2241", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/8c720c72b0734659b2cc966792015076.json"}}, {"family": "Omolabi", "given": "Kehinde F", "initials": "KF"}, {"family": "Chetty", "given": "Lloyd", "initials": "L"}, {"family": "Arumugam", "given": "Thilona", "initials": "T"}, {"family": "Chuturgoon", "given": "Anil", "initials": "A", "orcid": "0000-0003-4649-4133", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/3af870f9207f43e5ae3b802495214724.json"}}, {"family": "Kruger", "given": "Hendrik G", "initials": "HG", "orcid": "0000-0003-0606-2053", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/88f669867879452ca86ab92c27fd285c.json"}}, {"family": "Arvidsson", "given": "Per I", "initials": "PI", "orcid": "0000-0002-9453-6812", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/84789ce64d004c83919336cdf43c903e.json"}}, {"family": "Qin", "given": "Hua-Li", "initials": "HL", "orcid": "0000-0002-6609-0083", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/c7ffb7fb6d034b4a96adeb33b8564238.json"}}, {"family": "Naicker", "given": "Tricia", "initials": "T", "orcid": "0000-0002-7134-6258", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/f5b1b1625e8c43859647736baa3e83d9.json"}}, {"family": "Govender", "given": "Thavendran", "initials": "T"}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2023-06-22", "journal": {"title": "RSC Adv.", "issn": "2046-2069", "volume": "13", "issue": "28", "pages": "18991-19001", "issn-l": "2046-2069"}, "abstract": "\u03b2-lactamases are enzymes that deactivate \u03b2-lactam antibiotics through a hydrolysis mechanism. There are two known types of \u03b2-lactamases: serine \u03b2-lactamases (SBLs) and metallo \u03b2-lactamases (MBLs). The two existing strategies to overcome \u03b2-lactamase-mediated resistance are (a) to develop novel \u03b2-lactam antibiotics that are not susceptible to hydrolysis by these enzymes; or (b) to develop \u03b2-lactamase inhibitors that deactivate the enzyme and thereby restore the efficacy of the co-administered antibiotics. Many commercially available SBL inhibitors are used in combination therapy with antibiotics to treat antimicrobial resistant infections; however, there are only a handful of MBL inhibitors undergoing clinical trials. In this study, we present 11 novel potential MBL inhibitors (via multi-step chemical synthesis), that have shown to completely restore the efficacy of meropenem (\u22642 mg L-1) against New Delhi metallo-\u03b2-lactamase (NDM) producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in vitro. These compounds contain a cyclic amino acid zinc chelator conjugated to various commercially available \u03b2-lactam antibiotic scaffolds with the aim to improve the overall drug transport, lipophilicity, and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties as compared to the chelator alone. Biological evaluation of compounds 24b and 24c has further highlighted the downstream application of these MBLs, since they are non-toxic at the selected doses. Time-kill assays indicate that compounds 24b and 24c exhibit sterilizing activity towards NDM producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in vitro using minimal concentrations of meropenem. Furthermore, 24b and 24c proved to be promising inhibitors of VIM-2 (Ki = 0.85 and 1.87, respectively). This study has revealed a novel series of \u03b2-lactam MBLIs that are potent, efficacious, and safe leads with the potential to develop into therapeutic MBLIs.", "doi": "10.1039/d3ra02490c", "pmid": "37362332", "labels": [], "xrefs": [{"db": "pmc", "key": "PMC10285615"}, {"db": "pii", "key": "d3ra02490c"}], "notes": [], "created": "2026-08-20T09:27:44.094Z", "modified": "2026-08-20T09:27:44.324Z"}, {"entity": "publication", "iuid": "91a59cddd46c47eabc483341f2811cbf", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/91a59cddd46c47eabc483341f2811cbf.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/91a59cddd46c47eabc483341f2811cbf"}}, "title": "A 2018-2019 patent review of metallo beta-lactamase inhibitors.", "authors": [{"family": "Reddy", "given": "Nakita", "initials": "N", "orcid": "0000-0003-4428-2241", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/8c720c72b0734659b2cc966792015076.json"}}, {"family": "Shungube", "given": "Mbongeni", "initials": "M", "orcid": "0000-0001-8405-584X", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/1d0b9cb57fef4ce5bb7d3c3b04b54f7e.json"}}, {"family": "Arvidsson", "given": "Per I", "initials": "PI", "orcid": "0000-0002-9453-6812", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/84789ce64d004c83919336cdf43c903e.json"}}, {"family": "Baijnath", "given": "Sooraj", "initials": "S", "orcid": "0000-0001-7860-1779", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/5cedc06c61074967821fce1c7dd757bb.json"}}, {"family": "Kruger", "given": "Hendrik G", "initials": "HG", "orcid": "0000-0003-0606-2053", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/88f669867879452ca86ab92c27fd285c.json"}}, {"family": "Govender", "given": "Thavendran", "initials": "T", "orcid": "0000-0003-2511-2503", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/77ef43839d9e476f95d124c9c34b81fa.json"}}, {"family": "Naicker", "given": "Tricia", "initials": "T", "orcid": "0000-0002-7134-6258", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/f5b1b1625e8c43859647736baa3e83d9.json"}}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2020-07-00", "journal": {"title": "Expert Opin Ther Pat", "issn": "1744-7674", "volume": "30", "issue": "7", "pages": "541-555", "issn-l": null}, "abstract": "Antibiotic resistance caused by beta-lactamase expressing bacteria poses a concern given its global dissemination and proliferation. The emergence of the metallo beta-lactamases is an indefinite health threat toward which current antibiotics have limited clinical efficacy. One solution is to develop metallo beta-lactamase inhibitors (MBLIs) capable of restoring the activity of beta-lactam drugs.\n\nThis review focuses on potential metallo beta-lactamase inhibitors that have been patented during the period of 2018-2019. The aim is to provide insight into the diverse class of compounds which exhibit a synergistic inhibitory effect on carbapenem-resistant bacteria, when co-administered with a beta-lactam antibiotic.\n\nThe treatment strategy, of creating a broad-spectrum beta-lactamase inhibitor, is beneficial to the health sector as well as rural communities. Unfortunately, most of the inhibitors lack published data from both in vitro and in vivo evaluation, thus preventing an expert opinion on the likelihood to progress as candidates for clinical trials. From this report, the bismuth complexes, pyridinyl-nicotinamide derived sugars, boronic acid, and thiazole sulfonamide derivatives, portray promising properties for further advancement. Since there is currently no FDA approved MBLI, there remains an urgent need for the development of these combination treatment strategies.", "doi": "10.1080/13543776.2020.1767070", "pmid": "32393078", "labels": [], "xrefs": [], "notes": [], "created": "2026-08-20T09:35:21.446Z", "modified": "2026-08-20T09:35:21.613Z"}]}