The present invention relates to polyene macrolide derivatives according to the formula:
wherein M is a macrocyclic lactone ring; N is a polyene sugar, substituted or unsubstituted; X is independently selected from O, S, N or NH; R is independently selected from an alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, and heteroaryalkyl group; and i is an integer from 1 to 3, with the condition that it has a negative charge or the zwitterions character is restored; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof useful as antibiotics.