Antimicrobial drug discovery: lessons of history and future strategies

The discovery and development of the main classes of antimicrobials used in therapy of humans and animals has been recently overviewed [Citation1]. The introduction of antimicrobials into clinical practice fundamentally changed the way that microbial infections are controlled and managed and has contributed to a significant decrease in morbidity and mortality rates caused by microbial infections on mankind. Despite the overall success of antimicrobials, their efficacy and reliability has been severely compromised in recent years, due to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among pathogens [Citation2].