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.

AMPHOTERICIN B CHOLESTERYL SULFATE COMPLEX (AMPHOTEC) is an antifungal medicine. AMPHOTEC® is a sterile, pyrogen-free, lyophilized powder for reconstitution and intravenous (IV) administration. AMPHOTEC consists of a 1:1 (molar ratio) complex of amphotericin B and cholesteryl sulfate. AMPHOTEC is indicated for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis in patients where renal impairment or unacceptable toxicity precludes the use of amphotericin B deoxycholate in effective doses, and in patients with invasive aspergillosis where prior amphotericin B deoxycholate therapy has failed. The active ingredient of AMPHOTEC, amphotericin B, is a polyene antibiotic that acts by binding to sterols (primarily ergosterol) in cell membranes of sensitive fungi, with subsequent leakage of intracellular contents and cell death due to changes in membrane permeability. Amphotericin B also binds to the sterols (primarily cholesterol) in mammalian cell membranes, which is believed to account for its toxicity in animals and humans. AMPHOTEC is active against Aspergillus spp (A. fumigatus, A. flavus), Candida spp (C. albicans, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis), Cryptococcus neoformans, and Blastomyces dermatitidis. Active against most fungi with the notable exceptions of Candida lusitaniae, Trichosporon beigelii, Aspergillus terreus (some isolates), Pseudallescheria boydii, Malassezia furfur and Fusarium spp. The lipid formulations are designed to reduce binding of amphotericin to mammalian cell membranes, therefore reducing toxicities.