MycaZED Therapeutics

MYCAZED THERAPEUTICS

Advancing a New Generation of Antifungal Therapies

MycaZED Therapeutics is advancing nikkomycin Z (NikZ), a first-in-class chitin synthase inhibitor for serious fungal infections.

Novelmechanism
Human Phase 1completed
Fungal-specifictarget
Broadpotential
Learn more about NikZ
Microscopic image of Aspergillus conidial structures
Aspergillus image — CDC Public Health Image Library (PHIL) 15145; public domain per PHIL record.

THE SCIENCE

Fungi build with chitin.
Humans do not.

Nikkomycin Z inhibits chitin synthase, disrupting formation of a key structural component of the fungal cell wall. Chitin is found in many pathogenic fungi and is absent from human cells, creating a fungus-specific therapeutic target.

In Coccidioides immitis, transmission electron microscopy showed that NikZ disrupted cell-wall formation, prevented normal endosporulation, and caused extensive structural damage and lysis of spherules in vitro.

A fungus-specific vulnerability Targeting chitin synthesis offers the potential for potent antifungal activity with a favorable selectivity profile.
Hector et al. 1990 Figure 1 comparing untreated Coccidioides spherules with nikkomycin Z-treated spherules
Published evidence. Untreated 33-hour spherules (top) versus spherules of the same age exposed to NikZ at 2 μg/mL for 24 hours (bottom). Treated spherules are much smaller, with thinner walls and marked damage to internal structures or lysis. Hector RF, Zimmer BL, Pappagianis D. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. 1990;34(4):587–593.

WHY NOW?

A clinically advanced molecule with a broader path into serious fungal infections

MycaZED builds on an extensive NikZ development foundation, including completed Phase 1 studies and substantial manufacturing, CMC, toxicology, regulatory and preclinical work. New understanding of the therapeutic exposure needed for antifungal activity creates an opportunity to advance NikZ differently. MycaZED is focused on an efficient path to an IND for serious fungal infections beyond Valley Fever, using the existing safety and CMC foundation to evaluate multiple important fungal pathogens more quickly.

The molecule didn't change. Our understanding of the therapeutic exposure did.

Human + development foundation

Phase 1 safety and PK completed, with substantial CMC and preclinical work already established.

MycaZED focus

Build efficiently toward an IND for expanded serious-fungal indications.

Exposure insight

Preclinical evidence indicates that maintaining NikZ exposure can substantially increase antifungal activity.

1Human + development foundationPhase 1 safety and PK; substantial CMC foundation
2MycaZED INDFocused formulation, CMC and IND-enabling work for expanded indications
3Initial human dataEstablish exposure, safety and efficacy in a selected serious fungal infection
4Multiple paths forwardApply the NikZ platform across additional high-priority fungal pathogens

BROADER POTENTIAL

Potential across serious fungal infections

MycaZED is developing NikZ as a broader antifungal platform, using its existing human safety and development foundation to pursue multiple serious fungal pathogens efficiently.

Aspergillus·Candida·Valley Fever·Other serious fungal infections

ABOUT MYCAZED

Building on a substantial development foundation

MycaZED Therapeutics is advancing NikZ into broader serious fungal indications, building on decades of scientific and clinical development of NikZ, including work by Valley Fever Solutions.

Valley Fever Solutions Visit Valley Fever Solutions ↗

WORK WITH US

Advancing a different approach to serious fungal disease

MycaZED welcomes conversations with investigators, development partners and investors interested in advancing NikZ.

David@MycaZED.com