This bioactive compound was named candicidin, because of its high activity on Candida albicans. Candicidin is a polyene antifungal antibiotic produced by a strain of Streptomyces griseus. It is especially effective against Candida albicans (more effective than amphotericin B), and is administered intravaginally in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis. Candicidin inhibits cell membrane of Candida albicans, resulting in disruption of membrane integrity and ultimately cell death. There is some evidence that the binding site in the cell wall may be to fatty acids or fatty acid esters and that this binding capacity must be satisfied before candicidin can bring about its lethal effect by binding to sterol in the cell membrane.

SPK-843 is a water-soluble partricin derivative patented by SPA Societa Prodotti Antibiotici S.p.A. and developed by Aparts and Kaken for the potential treatment of systemic fungal infections. In preclinical models, SPK-843 shows in vitro inhibitory activity comparable to or better than that of Amphotericin B against Candida spp., Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus spp. SPK-843 exhibits dose-dependent efficacy on murine pulmonary aspergillosis models. SPK-843 doses of higher than 1.0 mg/kg of body weight exhibit no renal toxicities and a tendency toward better survival prolongation than the estimated maximum tolerated doses of amphotericin B (Fungizone) and liposomal amphotericin B.