A novel anti-tuberculosis (TB) compound, TBAJ-876, has entered a Phase 1 clinical trial with the first subject dosed on June 8, 2020. The compound, developed by TB Alliance, is being evaluated in a study of the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics (drug levels) after single and multiple ascending doses in healthy adults.

Bedaquiline represents both a novel chemical class - diarylquinolines (DARQs) - as well as a novel M.tb-selective mechanism of action (direct inhibition of M.tb ATP synthase). In animal models, this next-generation diarylquinoline appears more efficacious and potent against TB than bedaquiline and its predecessor, TBAJ-587, with a lower predicted clinical dose than either of those compounds. Similar to TBAJ-587, TBAJ-876 possesses improved safety properties compared to bedaquiline.