Antifungal Drugs Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Drug Class (Azoles, Echinocandins, Polyenes, Allyamines), By Indication (Dermatophytosis, Aspergillosis, Candidiasis), and Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025

Industry Insights

In 2017, the global antifungal drugs market size was valued at USD 11.3 billion. Growing prevalence of fungal infections such as aspergillosis and candidiasis is one of the key factors propelling the market. Fungal infections encompass both systemic and superficial infections including infection of the skin, eye, mouth, and vagina. Antifungal products with fungicidal activity are mostly used to treat a wide array of diseases, such as athlete's foot, ringworm, and fungal meningitis, caused by fungal agents. Moreover, mounting cases of patients suffering from hospital-acquired or nosocomial infections and infectious diseases are poised to stoke the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Fungal diseases are a public health problem as they can affect any individual. However, there is a severe threat of fungal infections to people with weak immune responses such as patients with AIDS. There is a high possibility of the development of opportunistic fungal infections in these patients. According to statistics published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2016, every year, nearly 220,000 new individuals are affected by cryptococcal meningitis, which is brain infection and has resulted in 181,000 deaths per year around the world. Most of the deaths are reported in sub-Saharan Africa, as the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is more in these countries.

In addition, ongoing public-private partnership agreements in the pharmaceutical industry for the development of novel therapeutics are projected to offer tremendous growth opportunities to the market. For example, CARB-X, an international public-private partnership, is anticipated to provide around USD 350 million in the coming five years to boost the R & D pipeline. Partners involved are the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Antimicrobial Resistance Centre in England, and Boston University School of Law.

A considerably large range of antifungal preparations, both topical and oral agents such as creams, sprays, tablets, and injections, are commercially available in the market. Rising popularity of over-the-counter antifungal drugs for dermal infections is further escalating market growth. However, the expiration of patent of branded therapeutics and availability of counterfeit drugs are estimated to impede the growth of the market over the forecast period.

Drug Class Insights

Azoles drug class dominated the market in 2017 with leading therapeutic agents such as Noxafil, Vfend, Diflucan, and Cresemba. The dominance of the market can be attributed to broad-spectrum activity delivered by Azoles. These agents support fungistatic activities by inhibiting fungal enzymes. Azoles are used in the treatment of candidemia, blastomycosis, systemic candidiasis, and ocular fungal infections.

Azoles are also used in the treatment of systemic fungal infections, classified into triazoles and imidazoles. They offer wide spectrum activity and enhanced safety levels. Triazoles have fewer adverse effects, less serious drug interactions, and improved absorption and distribution properties. The aforementioned benefits with the use of azoles are contributing to the growth of the segment. Increasing drug resistance among Aspergillus and Candida species, specifically to azoles, is expected to restrict the growth of the market.

Allylamines are synthetic fungicidal agents that are anticipated to register a CAGR over 1.0% during forecast period. These drugs are prescribed for nail infections, jock itch, athlete foot, and ringworms. Lamisil is the most commonly prescribed topical antifungal medication after fluconazole for the treatment of systematic antifungals by dermatologists. Thus, rising prevalence of dermatological diseases is likely to further boost the growth of the segment.

Indication Insights

Dermatophytosis is anticipated to hold a sizeable share in the market during the forecast period due to rising incidence of skin infections in children. In recent decade, the incidence of this infection has considerably increased due to an unhealthy lifestyle. This has raised concerns for immunocompromised patients, who are susceptible to extensive lesions and atypical manifestations due to fungi.

Moreover, candidiasis, which is the most commonly occurring systemic fungal infection, is expected to exhibit the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. It is a yeast infection caused by genus Candida. Its treatment has evolved over time. Some of the changes include appropriate usage of echinocandins and broad-spectrum azoles for treatment of candidemia, mucosal candidiasis, and invasive candidiasis. Increasing number of patients, who are more susceptible to fungal infections, is a key driver for the segment. In addition, growing awareness among patients and healthcare professionals is poised to spur the growth of the antifungal drugs market.

The others segment of indications includes invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, rhinocerebral mucormycosis, and endocarditis. Availability of a limited number of therapeutics for the treatment of invasive fungal infections as compared to bacterial infections is one of the major problems faced by clinicians. Only a few classes of drug molecules have been developed over the past 30 years. Players are focusing on the development of effective therapeutic agents for the treatment of systemic fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. Various public-private partnership agreements for the development of novel therapeutics are projected to provide the market with tremendous growth opportunities.

Regional Insights

North America held the dominant share in the global arena in 2017. The growth of the region can be attributed to increasing incidence of infectious diseases. Rise in prevalence has raised clinical urgency to increase the usage of these drugs and has boosted the development of innovative drugs with fast-track approvals by the FDA. In addition, presence of established pharmaceutical companies, which are consistently striving for extensive commercialization of their drugs and enhancing their geographical reach, is anticipated to be a key factor escalating the growth of the regional market.

The Asia Pacific market is estimated to exhibit the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Presence of a huge base of target population, growing disposable income and availability of drugs, and high unmet clinical needs are contributing to the growth of the regional market. Thus, global players are focusing on high R & D investment as well as commercializing branded drugs at a relatively lower price in the region. Japan held a substantial share in the APAC market in 2017, owing to an increasing medical expenditure and greater insurance coverage.

Antifungal Drugs Market Share Insights

Some of the players in the market are Abbott; Pfizer, Inc.; Novartis AG; Merck & Co., Inc.; Sanofi-Aventis; Bayer AG; Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; GlaxoSmithKline Plc; Astellas Pharma, Inc.; and Sigma-Aldrich. Participants are adopting competitive strategies, such as product development and collaborative agreements, to capture a greater market share. For instance, in June 2016, Merck entered into definitive agreement to acquire Afferent Pharmaceuticals. In addition, in July 2018, Sato Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Eisai Co., Ltd. announced release of NAILIN oral antifungal tablets in Japan for the treatment of onychomycosis.

The competition among generics is strong in the market, forming more than 60.0% of the overall industry. This can impede market penetration of newly-developed products over the forecast period. Therefore, to survive the competition, manufacturers need to engage in product diversification strategies.

Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of market trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global antifungal drugs market report on the basis of drug class, indication, and region:

• Drug Class Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Azoles

    • Voriconazole (Vfend)

    • Posaconazole (Noxafil)

    • Clotrimazole (Canesten)

    • Isavuconazole (CRESEMBA)

    • Others

  • Echinocandins

    • Caspofungin (Cancidas)

    • Micafungin (Mycamine/ Funguard)

    • Others

  • Polyenes

    • Amphotericin (AmBisome)

    • Others

  • Allylamines

    • Terbinafine (Lamisil)

    • Others

  • Others

• Indication Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Dermatophytosis

  • Aspergillosis

  • Candidiasis

    • Invasive Candidiasis

    • Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (VVC)

    • Mouth/Throat/Esophageal Candidiasis

    • Other Candida Infections

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • North America

    • The U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • The U.K.

    • Germany

  • Asia Pacific

    • Japan

    • China

    • India

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa