Antifungal drugs targeting the fungal Mcd4 enzyme
Official title: Structure-based design of antifungal inhibitors targeting the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) ethanolamine phosphate transferase, Mcd4
Funded at Prokaryotics, INC. · NIH-11269214 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Developing a new antifungal medicine that blocks a fungal enzyme to help people with serious infections like bloodstream Candida, invasive Aspergillus, and drug-resistant C. auris.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Prokaryotics, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Union, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $204,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI185171-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11269214 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients who might be candidates for future trials include people with invasive fungal infections such as candidemia, invasive aspergillosis, or infections caused by drug-resistant Candida auris, especially those with weakened immune systems.
✕Less likely to help
People without fungal infections, those with only mild superficial fungal infections, or patients who need immediate approved treatments are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this early, laboratory-focused project.
What this research studies
This project uses structure-based drug design to create molecules that block the fungal enzyme Mcd4, which is involved in GPI biosynthesis important for fungal cell function. Researchers will model the enzyme's 3-D structure, design compounds to fit its active site, and test candidates against fungal cells in the lab. Promising molecules will be optimized for potency and safety in preclinical experiments. The goal is to generate leads that could move into later preclinical and clinical testing for invasive fungal infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a new class of antifungal drugs that treat drug-resistant or deadly fungal infections with improved effectiveness and safety.
How similar studies have gone: Some related approaches have shown promise—fosmanogepix, which also targets GPI biosynthesis, has advanced into clinical testing—however most novel antifungal strategies remain at an early stage.
Where this research is happening
-
Prokaryotics, INC.
Union, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roemer, Terry — Prokaryotics, INC.
- Study coordinator: Roemer, Terry
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.