Superficial infections involving the skin and mucosa are the most common fungal disease in humans. Fungi can also produce invasive infections (IFI), which are increasing in incidence among the growing population of immunocompromised patients, and are characterized by a high mortality rate. Amphotericin B, new triazoles and echinocandins have improved treatment options in IFI. However, the frequency of less common and more resistant fungi, the limited activity of available antifungal drugs and their undesirable side effects reflect the urgent need for the development of new therapeutic strategies. Areas covered: This review summarizes the patents granted from August 2013 to June 2016 for antifungal compounds, reflecting the advances made by pharmaceutical companies and research groups in the discovery of new natural or synthetic antifungal compounds as well as the improvement of previously patented structures with antifungal activity. Expert opinion: in the period covered here, progress has been in the development of new antifungal compounds or analogs of existing drugs with broad spectrum of activity, more favorable pharmacokinetic profiles or better bioavailability. However, the development of more promising approaches as antifungal compounds with broader antifungal activity and fungal-specific mechanisms of action are a high priority.
Keywords: Polyenes; antifungal compounds; antifungal peptides; azole-based antifungal drugs; fungal cell wall.