Finafloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antimicrobial agent that exhibits optimum efficacy in slightly acidic environments. It is being developed by MerLion Pharmaceuticals to treat serious bacterial infections associated with an acidic environment, including urinary tract infections and Helicobacter pylori infections. An otic suspension of finafloxacin (Xtoro™), developed by Alcon (a division of Novartis), was approved in 2014 in the USA for the treatment of acute otitis externa (swimmer's ear) caused by the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Oral and/or intravenous formulations are in phase I and II evaluation in uncomplicated urinary tract infections (Germany and Singapore), complicated urinary tract infections and pyelonephritis (Germany and Poland) and H. pylori infection (Germany).
Finafloxacin Hydrochloride is used for preparation of naphthyridonecarboxylic acid derivatives as drugs for therapy of Helicobacter pylori infections and associated gastroduodenal illnesses.