Antifungal drugs are indispensable during the management of fungal infections. In our company, special emphasis is placed on the development and testing of new antifungal drugs. With modern instrumentation and a highly qualified research team, we help you identify possible drugs for specific fungi and thus shorten your research to market stage.
Overview of Antifungal Drugs
Antifungal agents include a group of agents that are used to treat severe and potentially life-threatening fungal infections. These can be superficial infections involving skin, nails and mucosa or deep which impact internal organs trimethyl. Antifungal agents are designed to specifically target fungal cells and inhibit their growth and reproduction or eradicate the fungi.
Fig. 1 Classes of antifungal drugs and their overall mechanisms of action. (Hossain C M, et al., 2022)
How Do Antifungal Drugs Work?
There exists a range of antifungal drugs with differences in action mechanisms.
| Types |
Mechanism |
| Azoles |
Prevent the formation of ergosterol which is an important aspect of the membranes found in fungi cells. |
| Polyenes |
They combine with ergosterol present in the cell membrane of fungi and create pores in the membrane. |
| Echinocandins |
Disrupt the formation of the β-glucan which is required for synthesis of the cell wall of fungus. |
| Allylamines |
Prevent the enzyme squalene epoxidase to take part in the synthesis of ergosterol. |
| Pyrimidine Analogs |
Inhibit enzyme cytosine deaminase to interfere with the synthesis of fungal RNA and DNA. |
Antifungal Drugs for Fungal Infections
As a result of clinical studies that proved their safety and effectiveness, a wide range of antifungal drugs have been sanctioned by medical authorities for the treatment of mycoses. Some examples of common antifungal drugs are given below.
Fluconazole
Fluconazole acts by preventing the production of ergosterol, which is important for the integrity of the fungal membrane. It is widely used against various types of fungal infections, including candidiasis and cryptococcal meningitis.
Amphotericin B
Amphotericin B is a polyene anti-fungal medication which is indicated in the treatment of life threatening systemic fungal infections such as invasive aspergillosis and candidiasis. It works by targeting ergosterol and altering the structural integrity of the membrane to the fungal cells.
Caspofungin
Caspofungin is regarded as an echinocandin antifungal agent that can be beneficial in the treatment of both invasive candidiasis and invasive aspergillosis. The drug works by inhibiting beta-glucan synthesis which is an important component of the fungal cell wall.
Our Services
The invention of antifungal drugs is of utmost importance in the treatment of fungal infections. Headed by experts with a wealth of experience and a remarkable team of specialists, our company offers full development services of antifungal drugs. We have a well-defined development process therefore we are capable of modifying or creating safe, effective, and novel solutions for the problems posed by fungal pathogens.
How Do We Develop Antifungal Drugs?
Target Identification and Validation
Our scientists employ strategies such as genomics, proteomics and biochemical analysis in order to locate and confirm certain molecular targets in fungal pathogens, which are important for their growth, survivability or for being virulent. Types of targets are enzymes, proteins or molecules, amongst others, necessary in the life cycle of a fungus.
Hit Discovery and Lead Optimization
Our initial compounds (hits) are discovered using one of the methods which include high throughput screening, virtual screening, or natural products, and they demonstrate some antifungal activity against the target organism. Once we gain those hits, we focus on making them more active and selective through medicinal chemistry, lead optimization and structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies.
In Vitro Antifungal Activity Evaluation
We do in vitro tests to gauge how well our lead compounds can stop fungi from growing, reproducing or attacking vital metabolic functions. Some traditional assays include measuring the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), time-kill kinetics or determining the biomass or viability of a fungus.
Fungal Susceptibility Testing
We conduct our evaluation by employing standard procedures while testing fungal isolates or clinical strains against lead compounds of interest, thus yielding information about the activity spectrum and susceptibility patterns across a range of fungal species.
In Vivo Efficacy and Safety Evaluation
In animal models relevant to fungal infection, we will examine the effectiveness and side effects of the main compounds. Furthermore, we will perform toxicology tests to ensure that the compounds are safe.
Formulation Development
We will formulate and fine-tune the relevant drug mixtures for antifungal drugs to make certain that they remain stable, bioavailable and can be delivered efficiently. Oral tablets, topical creams, intravenous infusions, or inhalation formulations for specific purposes can be some of the more widely accepted formulations.
Optional Antifungal Drugs and Applicable Diseases
Antifungal Drug Types
- Azoles
- Polyenes
- Echinocandins
- Allylamines
- Pyrimidine Analogs
- And More
Applicable Diseases
- Aspergillosis
- Black Piedra
- Candidiasis
- Geotrichosis
- Mycetoma
- And More
If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us for more details and quotation information of related services.
References
- Hossain C M, Ryan L K, Gera M, et al. Antifungals and drug resistance[J]. Encyclopedia, 2022, 2(4): 1722-1737.
- Bouz G, Doležal M. Advances in antifungal drug development: an up-to-date mini review[J]. Pharmaceuticals, 2021, 14(12): 1312.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
