The world market for antifungal agents is currently in excess of US$5 billion with an annual double-digit growth. This market for systemic agents for serious infection is currently served by only three major drug classes two of which, triazoles and polyenes have been optimised, and the third class, echinocandins, all seem to be very similar. Fortunately, development of resistance to these agents is not common but an increase in fungal infections, caused by previously non-pathogenic fungi, impairs the utility of all agents. Given that patient numbers are increasing, primarily due to impaired immune status, and that crude mortality from invasive aspergillosis is around 85% and for Candida bloodstream infections is 40%, new drugs are required.

Sales of both established agents and newly launched anti-fungals are significant. Amongst established agents, fluconazole, now generic, has sales in excess of US$1bn. Voriconazole (another triazole) and caspofungin (an echinocandin) both recently launched have annual sales predicted to be US$300-500. (more)