Antifungal Drugs Market Analysis By Drug Class (Azoles, Echinocandins, Polyenes, Allyamines), By Indication (Dermatophytosis, Aspergillosis, Candidiasis) And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025

Industry Insights

The global antifungal drugs market size was valued at USD 10.7 billion in 2015 and is expected to witness growth due to the rising incidence of fungal infections including as pergillosis and candidiasis. These infections may lead to death in patients with a compromised immune system, such as in individuals afflicted with acquired immune deficiency syndrome and leukemia, and are hence termed as opportunistic infections. The increasing prevalence of infectious diseases and hospital-acquired infections is expected to fuel the demand for therapeutics over the forecast period.

Fungal infection is found to attack both superficial and systemic parts of the body, in the skin, eye, mouth, and vagina,leading to diseases, such as athlete's foot, fungal meningitis, and ringworm, which are treated using antifungal products. A wide range of fungicidal preparations,such as creams, sprays, tablets, and injections, are available and increasing adoption of these products is predicted to drive the demand over the next seven years.

Global Antifungal Drugs Market Revenue, By Drug Class, 2014 - 2025 (USD Million)

In addition, rising awareness levels pertaining to myriad fungal infections is the key contributing factor for the growth of the antifungal drugs market. Organizations, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention & U.S. Food and Drug Administration are actively involved in educating people regarding the severe impact of infectious diseases. In November 2013, the CDC entered into a collaborative agreement with the National Health Ministry to enhance the treatment rates of communicable diseases in emerging countries, such as Brazil and India.

Furthermore, growing R&D expenditure coupled with increasing funding from the public & private sector is anticipated to provide this industry with lucrative growth opportunities. Rising popularity of over-the-counter antifungal drugs for dermal infections is further contributing toward sector growth. However, patent expiration of branded therapeutics and presence of counterfeit drugs are factors expected to impede the growth rate over the forecast period.

Drug Class Insights

Azoles are the class of antifungal drugs with broad-spectrum activity. This drug class dominated the segment in 2015 with leading therapeutic agents such as Noxafil, Vfend, and Diflucan. These agentsexert fungistatic activity by inhibiting fungal enzymes. Azoles are used in the treatment of candidemia, blastomycosis, systemic candidiasis, and ocular fungal infections.

Azoles used in the treatment of systemic fungal infections, classified intotriazoles and imidazoles, offer broad spectrum activity and improved safety levels. The triazoles have fewer adverse effects, less serious drug interactions, and improved absorption and distribution properties. The afore mentioned benefits with the use of azoles are contributing toward its present dominance amongst other segments. Increasing drug resistance amongst Aspergillus and Candidaspecies, specifically to azoles, is anticipated to provide an opportunity for other drug classes to capture the market.

Indication Insights

Dermatophytosis holds the majority share due to rising incidence of skin infections in children.Rising prevalence of opportunistic fungal infections is anticipated to fuel the demand over the forecast period. However, the most commonly occurring systemic fungal infection is systemic candidiasis, which is expected to exhibit the fastest CAGR over the forecast period.

Antifungal Drugs Indication Market, 2016 & 2025 (USD Million)

Other critical conditions are invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, rhinocerebral mucormycosis, and endocarditis. In addition, invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is the major cause of death in patients withbone marrow transplantation.The rising need to curb these conditions is the factor expected to propel the industry growth in the coming years.

Regional Insights

North America, on account of high patient awareness levels and R&D intensity pertaining to new drug development, led the market in 2015 with a share of 47.0%. However, its share is expected to decline by 2025 owing to the emergence of other regions, such as Asia Pacific and Latin America,growing at a faster growth rate. 

Antifungal Drugs Market Share, by Region, 2015

Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The presence of huge target population, growing establishment of healthcare facilities, and high unmet clinical needs related to fungal diseases are anticipated to provide a potential growth platform to this region for pharmaceutical players.

Competitive Insights

Some of the key players in this industry are Novartis AG, Pfizer, Inc., Sanofi-Aventis, Merck & Co., Inc., Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Bayer AG, Astellas Pharma, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc, Abbott,and Sigma-Aldrich. The participants are adopting competitive strategies, such as new product development and collaborative agreements, to capture a greater share.

Generic competition is strong,forming more than 60% of the overall industry. This impedes market penetration of newly-developed products over the forecast period and in order to survive the competition, manufacturers need to engage inproduct diversification strategies.

Antifungal Drugs Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

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

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

  • Azoles

  • Echinocandins

  • Polyenes

  • Allylamines

  • Others

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

  • Dermatophytosis

  • Aspergillosis

  • Candidiasis

  • Others

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

  • North America

    • U.S

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • UK

  • Asia Pacific

    • Japan

    • China

    • India

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

  • The Middle East and Africa

    • South Africa