Jagaricin – a novel antifungal natural compound
Challenge
Along with the growing number of patients with a weak or suppressed immune system – e.g. due to aging populations in western societies, cancer or HIV - comes a growing number of opportunistic fungal infections. On the other hand, only five new products suitable to combat these infections have been granted market approval by the FDA during the last decade and only few new drug candidates are under development. Furthermore, resistance of human pathogenic fungi against common drugs becomes an increasing problem resulting in an uncovered demand for new and innovative drugs being able to cope with the mentioned emerging challenges.
Technology
This technology relates to the novel natural compound family of the Jagaricins. Jagaricin is a cyclic lipopeptide isolated from the gram-negative mushroom pathogen Janthinobacterium agaricidamnosu. The novel structure shows strong and specific antifungal activity in the nanomolar range against the major human pathogenic fungi C. albicans and Aspergillus spp.. Additionally, the biosynthesis gene cluster was annotated and verified. The basic structure of the Jagaricins provides a new scaffold for the generation of novel lead structures for the development of innovative antifungal drugs.
Commercial Opportunity
The technology is offered for co-development and/or in-licensing.
Patent Situation
Priority filed in Europe in August 2012. International application filed in August 2013 (WO2014032782A1). EP patent granted (EP2703410).
Further Reading
Graupner et al. 2012. Imaging Mass Spectrometry and Genome Mining Reveal Highly
Antifungal Virulence Factor of Mushroom Soft Rot Pathogen. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012, 51, 1 – 6.