Novel Antifungal Agents with Dual Mechanism of Action

Background:

Invasive fungal infections caused by opportunistic pathogens such as Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans, and the rapidly emerging Candidozyma auris represent a severe and escalating threat to global public health, particularly among immunocompromised populations — including those undergoing cancer therapy, organ transplantation, or HIV treatment. The clinical problem is compounded by a limited arsenal of approved antifungal classes, most notably azoles like fluconazole. However, the efficacy of these existing treatments is increasingly compromised by the widespread emergence of multidrug-resistant fungal strains, significant host toxicity, and limited fungicidal activity. Pathogens such as C. auris frequently exhibit intrinsic resistance to multiple standard-of-care drugs, rendering conventional therapies ineffective and leading to high clinical mortality rates. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop alternative therapeutic strategies that can overcome existing resistance profiles to provide safer and more effective treatments for life-threatening fungal diseases.

Technology Overview:

Researchers at the University at Buffalo have developed a novel class of boron-based compounds that function as highly effective antifungal agents by employing a dual mechanism of action: they operate similarly to the widely used drug fluconazole while also appearing to interfere with fungal mitochondrial metabolism. Compared to existing treatments, this approach is highly novel because it establishes a new class of antifungal drugs that demonstrates superior in vitro potency against major pathogens—specifically Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans, and Candidozyma auris—often outperforming standard azole therapies. Ultimately, these boron-containing compounds provide a more potent, alternative therapeutic strategy for treating severe fungal infections.

Advantages:

• Appear to be broad spectrum as anti-fungal agents
• Novel mechanism(s) of action reduces likelihood of resistance
• Higher potency compared to fluconazole

Applications:

• Invasive/systemic fungal infections
• Resistant and refractory fungal disease
• Potential for clinical applications beyond fungal infections

Intellectual Property Summary:

Patent pending

Stage of Development:

In vitro

Licensing Status

Available for licensing or collaboration