A Novel 1,3-Beta-d-Glucan Inhibitor, Ibrexafungerp (Formerly SCY-078), Shows Potent Activity in the Lower pH Environment of Vulvovaginitis.

Ibrexafungerp (IBX) (formerly SCY-078) is a novel glucan synthase inhibitor whose oral availability is being evaluated for efficacy against vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Bioavailability and in vitro activity are important efficacy indicators, but accepted susceptibility methods do not always accurately predict activity in an acidic environment, such as the vagina. Studies were 3-fold, as follows: (i) pharmacokinetic study following oral administration in a murine model; (ii) susceptibility testing of isolates from a phase 2 VVC clinical trial by CLSI M27-A4 methodology; and (iii) susceptibility testing of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata isolates obtained from this trial group in RPMI 1640 adjusted to 3 different pH values, 7.0, 5.72, and 4.5, compared to susceptibility testing for micafungin and fluconazole. IBX readily accumulated in vaginal tissues and secretions following oral administration. Potent in vitro activity was demonstrated against Candida strains obtained at baseline and end of study visits. Moreover, the geometric mean (GM) values for IBX at pH 4.5 were dramatically lower than those at pH 7.0 and 5.72. The MIC90 values of micafungin remained the same regardless of pH value, while those of fluconazole tended to increase with lower pH values. IBX is able to reach target tissues following oral administration at pharmacologically meaningful levels. IBX demonstrated potent in vitro activity, with no development of resistance, following repeated exposure over the course of the clinical trial. Importantly, activity of IBX in an acidic medium suggests a therapeutic advantage of this novel antifungal in the treatment of vaginal Candida infections.