Rezafungin (CD101), a next-generation echinocandin: A systematic literature review and assessment of possible place in therapy

Objectives: Rezafungin (CD101) is a novel echinocandin currently under development. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic literature review of published evidence on rezafungin and an antimicrobial stewardship audit of real-world use of echinocandins to determine areas of unmet medical needs and potential places in therapy for rezafungin.

Methods: The systematic literature review identified 8 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 19 separate abstracts. A stewardship audit was performed on hospitalised patients receiving echinocandins to better understand potential future areas of use for rezafungin.

Results: Rezafungin is a cyclic hexapeptide with a lipophilic tail derived from anidulafungin, with a choline moiety at the C5 ornithine position resulting in increased in vitro and in vivo stability compared with other echinocandins. Microbiological data showed similar susceptibility and resistance development between rezafungin and other echinocandins. Rezafungin has a long half-life (80h) and a favourable safety profile that allows for high doses (up to 400mg) given once weekly. A phase 2 study is ongoing. The antimicrobial stewardship audit of echinocandin identified several areas of possible use for rezafungin, including patients receiving daily echinocandins for >7 days, patients who remained in the hospital to complete a full course of daily echinocandin therapy, and patients who required an echinocandin scheduled via an infusion clinic after discharge.

Conclusion: Rezafungin is a novel echinocandin currently in phase 2 studies, differentiated by a long half-life that allows once-weekly dosing and a safety profile that allows higher doses. Several potential areas of use for rezafungin were identified.