GlaxoSmithKline manufactures Retapamulin and it is the first drug from new antibiotic class which is effective as a topical Agent: Researchers presented more than a dozen research papers that detailed how retapamulin the first antibiotic for human use from a class of compounds known as pleuromutilins appears to be successful across a wide range of pathogens that cause skin and skin structure infections. Dr. Goldstein's contribution to the GlaxoSmithKline-sponsored production of research papers was a report on how retapamulin demonstrated good activity against 141 clinical isolates of Propionibacterium species, including species that were resistant to erythromycin, clindamycin, and tetracycline.

Based on this retapamulin merits further consideration and exploration of its clinical utility in acne. The results of the study point to the potential utility of retapamulin in the topical treatment of uncomplicated skin and soft-tissue infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Retapamulin had a very low potential for the development of resistance to S. aureus, one of the major pathogens that has gained resistance against most classes of antibiotics. All MRSA isolates were inhibited in vitro by a retapamulin concentration of less than or equal to 0.12 mcg/Ml.

GlaxoSmithKline had filed for a new drug application with the Food and Drug Administration for retapamulin in November 2005. Retapamulin (SB-275833) is the first pleuromutilins agent formulated as a topical antibacterial for treating skin infections. It has a unique mode of action and shows no target-specific cross-resistance to other antibacterial classes. More than 600 isolate and determined, "Resistance to erythromycin, mupirocin, or oxacillin did not affect the minimum inhibitory concentration values of retapamulin.