Biotech · Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France

Reinventing the treatment of invasive fungal infections

A chemical platform that corrects the toxicity of reference drugs. First application: a reengineered antifungal.

3.75M
deaths per year from invasive fungal infections — a global health priority recognized by the WHO.
50 yrs
without documented resistance to amphotericin B, the reference antifungal our molecule derives from.
×625
gain in aqueous solubility, with antifungal activity fully preserved.

Discovery

Our objectives

Restoring the full therapeutic potential of reference drugs whose toxicity limits their use today.

Many of medicine's most powerful drugs are held back by a structural flaw. Rather than masking that flaw, we correct it at its molecular source through chemistry — preserving what makes these drugs effective while removing what makes them harmful.

Our first program targets invasive fungal infections, one of the most critical and least addressed unmet medical needs, with Amfurexin®, a reengineered derivative of the reference antifungal amphotericin B.

The problem

Amphotericin B is the broadest-spectrum antifungal and the only one without documented clinical resistance in half a century. Yet a structural flaw limits its use: in aqueous media, the molecule self-aggregates, causing severe toxicity and restricting administration.

Lipid and liposomal formulations have only masked this toxicity through delivery, without correcting its cause — at a high cost.

Our approach

NS2605 (Amfurexin®) is a new chemical entity derived from amphotericin B. Through a targeted modification, it corrects the molecular root of toxicity — self-aggregation — by dispersing the molecule into a soluble monomeric form.

In vitro proof-of-concept establishes a profile with no equivalent in its class.

33–167×
Reduced toxicity
on human cells, versus the reference compound.
= AmB
Efficacy preserved
MICs identical to native amphotericin B.
×625
Higher solubility
in aqueous media, opening new development paths.

Pipeline

One technology, multiple applications

The chemistry that corrects amphotericin B is not specific to a single molecule: it is a detoxification platform applicable to other reference drugs.

First application

Amfurexin® (NS2605)

Antifungal derived from amphotericin B. In vitro proof-of-concept achieved; preclinical program underway.

In development

Preclinical program

In vivo efficacy and tolerability studies, with a structured go/no-go decision ahead of the regulatory stage.

Horizon

Platform extension

The solubilization and detoxification technology is extensible to other actives with high unmet medical need.

Our people

A founding team, a reference scientific board

Dr Michael Alimi
President, co-founder
Physician with clinical experience and a research background. Brings clinical-use insight and an understanding of drug development constraints.
Dr Najim Chaibi
CEO, co-founder
Biochemist, 10+ years in medtech and biotech start-ups, one led to a successful exit. R&D and regulatory leadership.
Prof. Rémi Coudroy
CSO, co-founder
Professor of intensive care (Poitiers University Hospital), specialist in immunocompromised patients. Qualified for phase I–III trials.
Scientific Advisory Board

Leading experts in mycology, formulation, chemistry and drug development.

Prof. Stéphane Bretagne
Clinical mycologist, Saint-Louis Hospital (Paris) — National Reference Center for Mycoses (Institut Pasteur).
Prof. Philippe Legrand
University of Montpellier — expert in formulation of poorly soluble actives.
Dr Mathieu Pucheault
CNRS Research Director — organic chemistry, University of Bordeaux.
Prof. François Lokiec
Professor of pharmacology and drug development — regulatory expertise.

Backed by

Rooted in its ecosystem

Mayan Pharma is based at the IECB (Pessac) and draws on the scientific excellence of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France.

Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Bpifrance
Unitec
IECB
CNRS · University of Bordeaux

Let's talk.

Investors, scientific and industrial partners: we'd be glad to walk you through the project.

contact@mayanpharma.com
Mayan Pharma
2 allée du Doyen Georges Brus — 33600 Pessac, France