Investigating Manogepix Activity Against Multidrug-Resistant Invasive Fungal Pathogen, Candida auris

ALBANY, N.Y. (February 10, 2021) – Assistant Professor Sudha Chaturvedi and Wadsworth Center researcher Vishnu Chaturvedi, along with colleagues nationwide, studied the ability of antifungal agent Manogepix (MGX) to inhibit the growth of Candida auris (C. auris). The researchers determined that MGX is highly potent against C. auris isolates.    

Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant yeast responsible for severe bloodstream, ear and wound infections. C. auris’ resistance to common antifungal drugs intensifies the need for therapeutics with different mechanisms.    

The researchers analyzed the susceptibility of 200 New York C. auris isolates to MGX. This measure was compared to the susceptibility of C. auris isolates to ten antifungal agents belonging to four different classes, used for the treatment of fungal infection.    

All C. auris isolates, including the one resistant to all known classes of antifungals, were highly susceptible to MGX. The MGX showed the greatest growth inhibition of C. auris compared to the other drugs tested.    

As C. auris continues to emerge as a serious global health threat, the results of this study are useful for further clinical evaluations of MGX as a therapeutic.