Eritoran

Eritoran is an investigational drug for the treatment of severe sepsis, an excessive inflammatory response to an infection. It is being developed by Eisai Co. and administered intravenously as eritoran tetrasodium. , a Phase III clinical trial is recruiting patients.

Mechanism of action
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in the innate immune system. They recognise microbes and activate inflammatory immune responses. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) detects lipopolysaccharides found in most Gram-negative bacteria.

Because of its similarity to the lipopolysaccharide lipid A, eritoran acts as TLR4 antagonist and so blocks the excessive reaction triggered by this receptor.