The activity of the new triazole antifungal D0870 was compared with those of itraconazole and fluconazole against Candida krusei and Aspergillus fumigatus, two fungi showing inherent tolerance of fluconazole. The activity of D0870 resembled that of itraconazole against whole cells of C. krusei, but it was less effective against A. fumigatus. However, the effect on sterol biosynthesis, in terms of the sterol type accumulating and IC50 for in-vitro biosynthesis, appeared similar in both species. The superior antifungal effect of D0870 over fluconazole appeared related to better inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis in A. fumigatus, but in C. krusei this did not account for the entire difference which may result mainly from reduced efflux of drug.