Discovery of Opelconazole (PC945): A Novel Antifungal Agent for inhaled Administration
Within our poster, we report the development of Opelconazole (PC945) a novel, inhaled triazole antifungal agent for the treatment of respiratory fungal infections. PC945 is a potent inhibitor of CYP51, purpose-designed to be administered via inhalation for high local lung concentrations and limited systemic exposure.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug, Fast Track and Qualified Infectious Disease Product designations for Opelconazole (PC945) for the treatment of IPA. PC945 has been used on a “special needs” basis in the UK in patients who have not responded to multiple standard-of-care (SOC) antifungal therapies, with remarkable results. A Phase 3 study of PC945 for the treatment of IPA as part of a combined antifungal regimen was initiated in 2022.
Pulmocide is a unique biopharmaceutical company with a mission to treat common acute and chronic respiratory tract infections. For this collaboration, Sygnature Discovery supplied all medicinal chemistry services, with a team led by Dr Mihiro Sunose, and are named inventors for PC945.
Presented at ACS Fall, San Francisco, Aug 13-17th 2023 by Dr Andrew Novak.