Ganciclovir is a synthetic acyclic nucleoside analogue of 2'-deoxyguanosine active against cytomegalovirus. Ganciclovir has been shown to be active against cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) in humans. To achieve anti-CMV activity, ganciclovir is phosphorylated first to the monophosphate form by a CMV-encoded (UL97 gene) protein kinase homologue, then to the di- and triphosphate forms by cellular kinases. Ganciclovir triphosphate concentrations may be 100-fold greater in CMV-infected than in uninfected cells, indicating preferential phosphorylation in infected cells. Ganciclovir triphosphate, once formed, persists for days in the CMV-infected cell. Ganciclovir triphosphate is believed to inhibit viral DNA synthesis by (1) competitive inhibition of viral DNA polymerases; and (2) incorporation into viral DNA, resulting in eventual termination of viral DNA elongation. Ganciclovir is indicated for the treatment of CMV retinitis in immunocompromised patients, including patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and for the treatment of acute herpetic keratitis.

Corifungin refers to the sodium salt of amphotericin B. Although amphotericin B has become the primary drug of choice for treating primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, its use is associated with multiple side effects, including use-limiting renal toxicity. Initial reports for the in vivo efficacy of corifungin in a mouse model of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis showed activity superior to that of amphotericin B at equivalent dosing. Chemically, corifungin is the sodium salt of amphotericin B with excellent aqueous solubility. The increased solubility of corifungin is likely to account for the described increase in activity. Acea Biotech is developing corifungin for the treatment of fungal infections and amebic diseases. Acea has completed of host of animal studies on corifungin setting the stage to take the drug into the clinic. U.S. FDA has approved orphan drug status for corifungin for the treatment of primary amebic meningoencephalitis.