The existing suite of clinically useful antifungals is limited. While amphotericin B and nystatin have been used widely over the past 50 years, they are associated with high toxicity and negligible oral bioavailability. Harvard researchers in the Clardy lab, together with collaborators at the Universities of Wisconsin and Costa Rica, have discovered a novel polyene macrolide with a distinct MOA isolated from ant-associated bacteria.

• In in vitro and preliminary in vivo studies, the compound demonstrated activity against C. albicans and a panel of fungi including Saccharomyces, Aspergillus and Trichoderma species.
• Furthermore, the compound has shown improved aqueous solubility compared to nystatin.
• Importantly, preliminary in vivo studies have indicated that the agent has a favorable side effect profile.

Further development of this novel antifungal agent has the potential to fill an unmet need in the antifungal market for both efficacious and well-tolerated agents to combat potentially deadly infections.