Resistance to current drugs spurs treatment innovation in influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, chlamydia and gonorrhoea

Currently, the prescribed antivirals for some infections, such as the frequently occurring respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza are limited in their regular use and efficiency, due to having a variable response, being subject to suboptimal dosing regimens and being generally poorly tolerated. Similarly, the treatment of bacterial infections like chlamydia and gonorrhoea has become complicated following the growth of antibiotic resistance.

The impending arrival of new and innovative vaccine technologies is likely to target these challenges and strong growth in the infectious diseases therapeutics market is expected as a consequence of next-generation drugs' successful commercialisation.

According to new analysis from Frost & Sullivan in their ‘Global Infectious Diseases Therapeutics Market - Influenza, RSV, Chlamydia, and Gonorrhoea’ report, the influenza vaccine industry is experiencing a transition from conventional egg-based vaccines, which use live attenuated and inactivated viruses, to innovative DNA-based, sub-unit, recombinant, and even microbial vector-based approaches. 

These technologies are enjoying increased popularity thanks to their cost benefits and, in the event of a pandemic, their potential for mass production. 

Aiswariya Chidambaram, Healthcare Senior Research Analyst at Frost & Sullivan, explained that a number of new antiviral agents, which include short-interfering ribonucleic acids (siRNAs), antimicrobial peptides and further anti-inflammatory drugs, were being assessed in clinical trials for viral infections. As these ongoing clinical programs were targeting newer classes of antivirals, it was expected that as a result, vaccine technologies and improved diagnosis would likely lead to more sophisticated treatment.

The crucial obstacle to successful treatment remained the resistance to current drugs and bacterial/viral breakthrough, yet the asymptomatic nature of sexually transmitted bacterial infections makes even diagnosis problematical. In as many as 70 percent of infected women and up to 50 percent of infected men the genital infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoea go unnoticed.

Chidambaram added that, especially for viral infections, vaccines provided the solution, since preventative therapies could contribute to significantly control disease burden of global infectious diseases.

Global Infectious Diseases Therapeutics Market - Influenza, RSV, Chlamydia, and Gonorrhoea is part of the Life Sciences (http://www.lifesciences.frost.com) Growth Partnership Service program. Frost & Sullivan’s related studies include: Emerging Technologies in Infectious Diseases Diagnostics, Global Biosimilars Market, Global Type 2 Diabetes Therapeutics Market, and Global Analysis of MicroRNA Tools and Services Market. All studies included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.


26 March 2014

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Research, Frost&Sullivan, epidemics, antibiotic resistance, infection control, infectious diseases, therapeutics, viral infections, bacterial infections Resistance to current drugs spurs treatment innovation in influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, chlamydia and gonorrhoea Currently, the prescribed ant...