Candidiasis Therapeutics Market Size, Share, Industry, Forecast and outlook (2024-2031)

Global Candidiasis Therapeutics Market is segmented By Type (Oral Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal Candidiasis, Cutaneous Candidiasis, Invasive Candidiasis, Systemic Candidiasis), By Drug Class (Polyene (Nystatin (Mycostatin and others), Amphotericin B (Fungizone, Amphocin)), Azole Antifungals (Fluconazole (Diflucan), Itraconazole (Sporanox), Voriconazole (Vfend), Posaconazole (Noxafil)), Topical azoles (Clotrimazole (Mycelex, Femizole-7), Butoconazole (Femstat-3, Gynazole-1), Miconazole vaginal (Monistat, Micatin), Tioconazole (Vagistat-1), Terconazole vaginal (Terazol-7, Terazol-3)), Glucan synthesis inhibitors (echinocandins) (Caspofungin (Cancidas), Micafungin (Mycamine), Anidulafungin (Eraxis)), Antimetabolite (Flucytosine (Ancobon)), Allylamines (Terbinafine (Daskil, Lamisil), Others), By Route of Administration (Oral, Parenteral, Topical), By Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacies, Online Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies, Others), and By Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) – Share, Size, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2024-2031 

Report Overview

The Global Candidiasis Therapeutics Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period (2024-2031)

Candidiasis, also known as thrush is a type of fungal infection that can affect men and women of all age groups. When the infection spreads into the throat, it causes esophagitis. The effects of this infection can be seen on internal and systemic levels wherein it is known as candidemia or intestinal thrush.

Candidiasis Therapeutics Market Scope

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Candidiasis Therapeutics Market Dynamics

The global candidiasis therapeutics market growth is driven by the rising number of candidiasis infection cases globally, an increase in the susceptible immune-compromised patient pool, and growing awareness of different treatments for candidiasis infection.

Increasing research and development for candidiasis treatment

The global candidiasis market is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period due to growing research & development of novel medications for the treatment of invasive fungal infections caused by Candida Albicans. For instance, in October 2018, some researchers at the American Society for Microbiology found a compound alexidine dihydrochloride, which has the highest antifungal and anti-biofilm activity against a diverse range of fungal pathogens, hence having a greater potential for use as a pan-antifungal drug.

Rising number of patients with different candidiasis infection

The increasing number of patients affected by candidiasis infection is also one of the major factors driving the growth of the candidiasis therapeutics market. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 46,000 cases of healthcare-associated invasive candidiasis occur annually, in the United States. The 30-day all-cause (crude) mortality among people with candidemia is around 30%. However, as people who infect with invasive candidiasis commonly have pre-medical disorders, it is ambiguous to determine the proportion of deaths directly attributable to the infection. Hence, this rise in the number of patients has helped to impel the growth of the overall market.

The availability of alternative treatments is likely to hinder the market growth

However, easy access to alternative treatment methods such as over-the-counter treatments, and side effects caused by these drugs are expected to hamper the market growth in the forecast period.

Epidemiology 

Oral candidiasis is one of the most common fungal infections of the mouth and represents the most common opportunistic for oral infection in humans. Infections of the mouth occur in about 6% of babies less than a month old. Around 20% of those receiving chemotherapy for cancer and 20% with AIDS also develop this infection.

An estimated 20% of women are likely to be asymptomatically colonized by vaginal yeast. In the United States, there are around 1.4 million doctor office visits every year for candidiasis. About three-quarters of the women have at least one yeast infection at some time during their lives.

Esophageal candidiasis is the most common esophageal infection in persons with AIDS and accounts for about 50% of all esophageal infections, often coexisting with other esophageal diseases. About two-thirds of people with AIDS and esophageal candidiasis also have oral candidiasis.

Candida is the fourth most common cause of bloodstream infections among hospital patients in the U.S. During 2013–2017; the average incidence was approximately 9 per 100,000 people; however, this number varies substantially by geographic location and patient population. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 25,000 cases of candidemia occur nationwide each year.

The epidemiology forecast of candidiasis is covered for major countries including the U.S., Canada, Japan, the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. It covers the estimated prevalent population and treated patient population for the forecast period 2020–2027 as well.

Pipeline

As of March 2019, the candidiasis therapeutics pipeline comprised more than 25 drugs in different stages of development.

Several drug manufacturers are actively involved in the development of candidiasis therapeutics. For instance,

• Ibrexafungerp (formerly SCY-078): On April 21st, 2020, SCYNEXIS, Inc., a biotechnology company pioneering innovative medicines to overcome and prevent difficult-to-treat and drug-resistant infections, announced positive top-line results for its Phase 3 VANISH-306 study investigating the safety and efficacy of oral Ibrexafungerp (formerly SCY-078), a novel broad-spectrum antifungal, as a treatment for women with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), also known as a vaginal yeast infection. With these results, ibrexafungerp has now achieved superiority over placebo with a high degree of statistical significance on key study endpoints required for regulatory approval of the VVC indication in both VANISH pivotal trials, clearing the way for the NDA submission for the treatment of VVC in the second half of 2020.
• Oteseconazole (VT-1161): In February 2020, Mycovia Pharmaceuticals, Inc. initiated extension studies as part of its ongoing Phase 3 VIOLET clinical trials for oteseconazole (VT-1161). Mycovia is developing oteseconazole, an oral antifungal product candidate, for the treatment of Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (RVVC), a debilitating, chronic infectious condition that affects nearly 138 million women worldwide each year and for which there is currently no approved treatment in the U.S.

Hence, positive clinical trial results and the growing adoption of collaboration strategies are enhancing the candidiasis therapeutics pipeline.

In addition, the issuance of patents helps in achieving different milestones in the form of grants and designations from regulatory bodies and institutes, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), among others.

COVID-19 Impact on Candidiasis Therapeutics Market Growth

The market for candidiasis therapeutics is expected to grow significantly due to the rising cases of COVID-19 cases globally. There is an increased risk for critically ill COVID-19 patients to develop co-infection with Candida, which is likely to increase mortality rates. Despite the progress in public health and hospital care, infections continue to develop in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. COVID-19 patients in ICU, are at high risk of developing nosocomial infections associated with MV and respiratory manifestation. The main risk factors for invasive candidemia patients include prolonged hospital stays, CVC, surgical procedures, and the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.  The high mortality increases the demand for early recognition of candidemia, and appropriate antifungal therapy is the basic requirement to improve the outcome of COVID-19 patients in the ICU. Hence, with the rising demand for treatment of rising cases, there is a significant increase in research & development for the treatment of these infections, hence, expected to boost the market growth over the forecast period.

Candidiasis Therapeutics Market Segment and Shares

Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (VVC) segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period (2023-2030)

Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (VVC), also known as a vaginal yeast infection due to Candida, is the second most common cause of vaginitis. VVC infections are commonly caused by Candida albicans, fluconazole-resistant Candida strains, such as Candida glabrata. VVC is associated with substantial morbidity, including significant genital discomfort, psychological distress, reduced sexual pleasure, and loss of productivity. Some of the common VVC symptoms include vaginal soreness, pruritus, irritation, abnormal vaginal discharge, and excoriation of the vaginal mucosa. About  70-75% of women globally have at least one episode of vulvovaginal candidiasis in their lifetime, and around 40-50% of them experience two or more episodes. Approximately 6-8% of women with VVC suffer from recurrent disease, defined as experiencing at least three outbreaks within 12 months.

Some of the treatments available for vulvovaginal candidiasis include topical azole antifungals such as miconazole, clotrimazole, others, and fluconazole, the only orally-administered antifungal currently approved for the treatment of VVC in the United States. Fluconazole reported a 55% therapeutic cure rate on its label, which now also includes warnings of the potential for fetal harm, illustrating the need for new oral alternatives. The conditions of women with moderate-to-severe VVC, VVC caused by fluconazole-resistant Candida spp, recurrent VVC, and VVC during child-bearing age are not fully treated by oral fluconazole or topical products. Also, there are no oral alternatives for VVC patients who do not respond to or do not tolerate fluconazole, and there are no FDA-approved products for the prevention of recurrent VVC.

Azoles Antifungals are expected to dominate the candidiasis therapeutics market during the forecast period

Azoles Antifungals are synthetic compounds that include two groups, imidazoles, and triazoles. Imidazole agents include miconazole, ketoconazole, and clotrimazole. In August 2013, the FDA announced that clinicians should no longer prescribe ketoconazole (Nizoral, Janssen Pharmaceuticals) tablets as first-line therapy for any fungal infection, including Candida and dermatophyte infections, because of adrenal insufficiency, the risk for severe liver injury, and adverse drug interactions. Ketoconazole tablets were also withdrawn from the market in the European Union in July 2013.

Triazole agents are now the most commonly used azoles, include itraconazole, fluconazole,terconazole , butoconazole, econazole, and tioconazole. Recent triazoles ( such as, posaconazole, voriconazole, ravuconazole) are active against fluconazole-resistant strains of Candida. Posaconazole and Voriconazole and have shown high efficacy against candidiasis in recent clinical trials.

• Fluconazole (Diflucan): This triazole has less effect on human sterol metabolism and does not decrease cortisol and testosterone levels, as occurs with ketoconazole. It has fewer adverse effects and better tissue distribution than older systemic imidazoles. It is available as PO/IV and has demonstrated efficacy in topical and invasive forms of candidiasis.
• Itraconazole (Sporanox): Synthetic triazole antifungal agent that slows fungal cell growth by inhibiting cytochrome P450-dependent synthesis of ergosterol, a vital component of fungal cell membranes. It is effective against a broad range of fungi, including Candida species, and is indicated for the treatment of cutaneous, oral, esophageal, and disseminated candidiasis.
• Voriconazole (Vfend): Effective as fluconazole against esophageal candidiasis, and as effective as amphotericin B deoxycholate in the treatment of candidemia and invasive candidiasis. In Europe, it has been approved for the "treatment of fluconazole-resistant serious invasive Candida infections (including C krusei)." The FDA has approved this drug for esophageal candidiasis and candidemia.
• Posaconazole (Noxafil): It blocks ergosterol synthesis of the cell membrane by inhibiting the enzyme lanosterol 14-alpha-demethylase and sterol precursor accumulation. The action results in cell membrane disruption. It is approved for the treatment of OPC, including OPC refractory to itraconazole and/or fluconazole, and prophylaxis of infections due to Candida and Aspergillus in patients who are at high risk.

Candidiasis Therapeutics Market Geographical Share

The North American region holds the largest market share global candidiasis therapeutics market

The North American region is dominating the global candidiasis therapeutics market and accounted for the largest market share in 2020, owing to the large investment in healthcare and growing awareness of candidiasis disorder. Candidiasis disease is increasing rapidly in the United States and is not restricted to any particular region. The market for systemic candidiasis is increasing in this region. Candida is one of the major causes of healthcare-associated bloodstream infections in U.S. hospitals. Thrush occurs in around 2-5% of healthy newborns and affects mainly during their first year of life. More than one million adult women and adolescent girls in the United States develop vaginal yeast infections annually. Hence, the high incidence rate of candidiasis is expected to drive the growth of the market in this region.

These infections are also costly for patients and healthcare facilities. Each case of candidemia is estimated to result in an additional 3 to 13 days of hospitalization and $6,000 to $29,000 in healthcare costs.15 Although antifungals can be used to treat most candidemia, some types of Candida are increasingly resistant to the antifungal drugs commonly used for treatment, such as the echinocandins (anidulafungin, caspofungin, and micafungin) and fluconazole.

Candidiasis Therapeutics Companies and Competitive Landscape

The candidiasis therapeutics market is moderately competitive with the presence of local as well as global companies.  Some of the key players which are contributing to the growth of the market include Cidara Therapeutics Inc., NovaDigm Therapeutics Inc., Amplyx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Astellas Pharma Inc., Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd., Merck, SCYNEXIS, Inc., Pacgen Biopharmaceuticals, Viamet Pharmaceuticals Holdings, LLC, Mycovia Pharmaceuticals Inc., Novabiotics Limited, Bayer AG, among others. The major players are adopting several growth strategies such as product launches, acquisitions, and collaborations, which are contributing to the growth of the candidiasis therapeutics market globally.

Candidiasis Therapeutics Market Key Companies to Watch

Cidara Therapeutics Inc.

Overview: Cidara Therapeutics was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in San Diego, California. It is a biotechnology company that specializes in the fields of healthcare and therapeutics. The company focuses on developing innovative therapies to treat life-threatening illnesses exacerbated by deficiencies in the human immune system. In 2019, Cidara was named a San Diego Metro Area top workplace for the third consecutive year by the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Product Portfolio: The Company’s portfolio comprised its lead Phase 3 antifungal candidate, micafungin, in addition to antiviral conjugates (AVCs) targeting influenza and other viral diseases from Cidara’s proprietary Cloudbreak antiviral platform.

Key Development: On May 20, 2020, Cidara Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the first patient has been dosed in its ReSPECT pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of the company’s lead antifungal candidate, rezafungin. Rezafungin is a novel once-weekly echinocandin being developed for both the treatment and prevention of serious fungal infections, such as candidemia and invasive candidiasis.