PEW TRUSTS | The last time scientists discovered a novel class of antibiotics that would eventually make it to market was in 1984. That drug, daptomycin, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2003, nearly two decades after its discovery—and Richard Baltz was one of the researchers who helped develop the promising molecule into an FDA-approved drug. Baltz spoke to Pew Trusts about his experience developing daptomycin, including the challenges associated with discovering and developing new antibiotics, and some lessons from the current COVID-19 pandemic.