Rezafungin: A novel antifungal for the treatment of invasive candidiasis

Rezafungin is a novel echinocandin with exceptional stability and solubility and a uniquely long half-life allowing for front-loaded drug exposure with once-weekly dosing. Rezafungin has been shown comparable to other echinocandins, with activity against Candida spp. and Aspergillus spp. including subsets of echinocandin-resistant Candida auris and azole-resistant Aspergillus isolates. Available clinical data show robust safety and promising efficacy. Phase III trials will provide data on efficacy of rezafungin for the treatment of candidemia and invasive candidiasis and for the prevention of invasive fungal disease in blood and bone marrow transplant recipients. Rezafungin is a promising new candidate in the antifungal arsenal that opens up clinical possibilities based on its impressive half-life, such as early hospital discharge for stable patients and use as prophylaxis in immunocompromised patients. Infections caused by fungal organisms are difficult to treat. Echinocandins are a group of antifungal medications that are effective in treating certain fungal infections, are well-tolerated by patients, and do not frequently interfere with other medications the patient may be taking. Rezafungin is a new echinocandin with the strengths of the class but with additional benefits, such as being able to be given just once a week, rather than once a day as is the case with other echinocandins. Clinical trials are currently ongoing to determine how effective rezafungin is in treating Candida infections and preventing fungal infections in patients who have compromised immune systems.