Research & Development

Discovery Research

TAXIS uses a disciplined, data-driven approach to identify potential antibacterial therapies and advance them from the laboratory to the clinic, based on the quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) for each chemotype. This rational approach to drug design has enabled TAXIS to produce its first drug candidate, TXA709, which displays a validated efficacy signal when administered by both intravenous and oral routes in murine models of S. aureus infection. Our data-driven approach also serves as the foundation for our efflux pump inhibitor (EPI) drug discovery program, by which TAXIS has identified numerous viable candidate compounds with potential synergy with a wide range of currently marketed antibiotic agents.

Physical Plant

Since securing initial seed funding in late 2009, TAXIS has achieved operational autonomy and now manages internally all aspects of non-GLP drug discovery at two locations in central New Jersey:

Princeton Corporate Plaza
9 Deer Park Drive, Suite J-15
Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852
Medicinal Chemistry and Microbiology Labs (5000 sq. ft.)
Rutgers University
Piscataway, NJ
Molecular Pharmacology and Analytical Chemistry Labs & Full Service Vivarium

Ongoing Research

Our research capabilities extend beyond our initial focus on therapeutic alternatives to vancomycin, daptomycin and linezolid for the treatment of MRSA infections. TAXIS is also working to identify drug candidates for the treatment of vancomycin-resistant enterococcal (VRE) infections as well as Gram-negative bacterial infections. Additional research initiatives include:

  • Identifying anti-bioterrorism candidates
  • Identifying orally bioavailable drug candidates
  • Optimizing formulation of intravenous (IV) drug candidates
  • Life-cycle planning and development to combat future resistance crises

TAXIS Pharmaceuticals is developing novel classes of anti-resistance agents to address the growing threat of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Our researchers have the capability to synthesize new compounds, evaluate their antibacterial and targeting activities, conduct pre-clinical studies, and optimize formulations. Our liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS) technology enhances our ability to rapidly characterize newly synthesized compounds in real time, significantly enhancing our discovery chemistry throughput.

Clinical Research Partnerships

TAXIS partners with contract manufacturing organizations and contract research organizations to plan and implement clinical development programs. These steps include: initiating Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) scale-up, maintaining Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), and preparing studies to enable Investigational New Drug (IND) applications for our lead product candidates. Please see our Partnerships.