A Kaken representative attending the 40th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 17-20 September 2000, Toronto, Canada, told R&D focus that its polyene antifungal, SPK 843, is available for licensing in the USA and Canada from codeveloper, SPA (Societa Prodotti Antibiotici). Phase I trials have been initiated in Europe with this compound and preclinical studies continue in Japan, where phase I is slated for early 2001. ….In vitro, SPK 843 is highly effective against fungi that cause deep-seated mycosis. The agent demonstrates greater efficacy than amphotericin B against Candida species, Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus species. Insensitive strains arose with a 4, 7 and 41% frequency rate for SPK 843, amphotericin and fluconazole respectively for Candida species, 0, 0 and 50% frequency rate for C neoformans and 6, 13 and 100% for Aspergillus species.
Numbers of C albicans and C neoformans viable cells declined more rapidly using SPK 843 doses of 0.125-2 mcg/mL than the same doses of amphotericin B. ….In a mouse model of candidosis, SPK 843 is superior to amphotericin B when administered over five days and as small doses irrespective of immunosuppressive state. In a mouse model of pulmonary aspergillosis, SPK 843 was more effective than either amphotericin B or liposomal amphotericin B (AMBISOME).
SPK 843, J2A, Antifungals, Kaken, preclinical-data
SPK 843, J2A, Antifungals, SPA, licensing-offer, USA, Canada
SPK 843, J2A, Antifungals, SPA, phase-I, Europe, new-phase
Date of article/Start date of trial: 9 October 2009