BSG005

BSG005 is a genetically improved polyene macrolide antifungal drug developed to treat invasive fungal infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients such as those with AIDS, cancer, or organ transplants. It was invented at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in collaboration with SINTEF and further developed by Biosergen. Unlike existing polyene macrolides (such as amphotericin B), which are limited by severe side effects like kidney toxicity, BSG005 demonstrates a superior safety profile with minimal nephrotoxicity observed in both animal studies and healthy human subjects. Mechanistically, it acts similarly to amphotericin B and nystatin by binding to ergosterol in the fungal cell membrane—this disrupts membrane integrity (increasing permeability), leading to cell death (fungicidal action). This mechanism not only provides broad-spectrum activity against Candida, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Mucor, and Cryptococcus but also minimizes resistance development compared to fungistatic agents. The drug has received orphan drug status for mycoses and is currently undergoing Phase 1/2 clinical trials for severe systemic fungal infections.