Eric R Houpt

Title: Innovations in Tuberculosis Treatment by Eric R. Houpt

Introduction

Eric R. Houpt is an accomplished inventor based in Keswick, Virginia, known for his significant contributions to the field of antimicrobial treatments. His innovative work focuses on developing new methods for treating tuberculosis, a disease that continues to pose a global health challenge.

Latest Patents

Eric R. Houpt holds a patent for "Compositions and methods for treating tuberculosis." This invention provides the use of antimicrobial chemical entities based on a nitrothiazolide backbone that exhibit anti-mycobacteria activity, including the bacteria causing tuberculosis. Multiple compounds were synthesized and screened for their anti-tuberculosis activity. The patent discloses a series of compounds with anti-tuberculosis activity, including six leads that completely inhibited bacterial growth at 5 micrograms per ml or less. Three of these compounds were tested to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), which ranged between 1 and 4 micrograms per ml against both drug-susceptible strains and multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains, including extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains. The compounds developed are derived from the parent compound nitazoxanide, which had no inhibitory activity in the stringent testing format used. The derivatives were synthesized using a di-nitro-thiophene or 4-Chloro-5-Nitro-thiazole scaffold, with R groups connected via a peptide bond (NHCO) to cyclic compounds such as benzene, thiophene, or furans. Many of these compounds have broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive bacteria, including MRSA. Notably, several of these lead compounds were not toxic for mice at doses of 200 mg/Kg administered over a period of three days.

Career Highlights

Eric R. Houpt's career is marked by his dedication to research and innovation in the field of infectious diseases. His work has led to advancements in the treatment of tuberculosis, showcasing his commitment to improving public health outcomes.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Eric has collaborated with esteemed colleagues, including Paul S. Hoffman and Timothy L. MacDonald. These collaborations have further enriched his research and contributed to the development of effective treatments.

Conclusion

Eric R. Houpt's innovative work in developing new treatments for tuberculosis highlights the importance of research in combating infectious diseases. His contributions