A new antifungal drug works in a surprising way

A new antifungal compound called mandimycin has been discovered by Chinese researchers. It effectively kills fungal infections in mice, including drug-resistant strains, and is less toxic to human cells than existing drugs. Mandimycin works by targeting phospholipids in fungal cell membranes, rather than ergosterol like current antifungals. This novel mechanism allows it to destroy fungi while sparing human and bacterial cells. Though promising, more research is needed before mandimycin can be tested in humans.