Anti-Fungal Treatment Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Drug Class (Azoles, Echinocandins, Polyenes, Allylamines, Pyrimidines), By Therapeutic Indication (Systemic, Candidiasis, Cryptococcosis, Prophylactic Use of Antifungals, Coccidioidomycosis), By Pathogens (Candida, Aspergillus, Cryptococcus, Coccidioides Immitis, Zygomycetes, Trichophyton), By End-Users (Hospitals and Clinics, Dermatology Clinics) and By Region(North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2023-2031

Anti-Fungal Treatment Market Size

The global anti-fungal treatment market size was valued at USD 18.97 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 33.30 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 6.45% during the forecast period (2023–2031).

A pharmaceutical fungicide or fungistatic antifungal medication, also known as an antimycotic medication, is used to treat and prevent mycosis, including ringworm, candidiasis, and cryptococcal meningitis, among others. To treat fungal infections, a variety of antifungal medications are available. Different antifungal medications are administered orally, topically, or intravenously. As they can affect everyone, fungi illnesses are a public health issue. In addition, fungal infections pose a severe hazard to those with weakened immune systems, such as AIDS patients. Opportunistic fungal infections have a greater likelihood of developing in these people. Cryptococcal meningitis, a brain infection that has caused 181,000 annual deaths worldwide, affects about 220,000 new people each year, according to information released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2016.

Top 4 key highlights

• Azoles dominate the drug class segment
• Systemic dominates the therapeutic indication segment
• Candida dominates the pathogens segment
• Americas is the most significant shareholder in the global market

Anti-Fungal Treatment Market Growth Factors

Rising number of patients with immunological diseases

The global market for anti-fungal treatments has been driven by the increase in the number of patients with immunological diseases. Most often, fungus infections affect people with weak immune systems or immunological disorders. Around 23.5 million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health, experienced the autoimmune disease in 2017. In addition, 8% of the US population, or 14.7 million to 23.5 million people, are thought to be affected by autoimmune diseases. They were the leading killers of young people. Additionally, AIDS patients worldwide experience about 220,000 cases of cryptococcal meningitis each year. Therefore, the main factor contributing to the rise in human fungal infections is HIV/AIDS.

Availability of a variety of products

For the treatment of fungi infections, there are many medications on the market, including oral and intravenous medications, creams, sprays, shampoos, solutions, pessaries, and injections. Terbinafine, clotrimazole, tioconazole, terbinafine, econazole, and miconazole are some of these preparations. Shampoos can also be used to treat skin and scalp fungal infections. Tablets called pessaries are used to treat fungal vaginal infections. In addition, numerous oral and intravenous medications are on the market to treat conditions. For the treatment of rashes, an anti-fungal cream is frequently combined with a mild steroid cream, such as hydrocortisone. The anti-fungal cream treats infections, and the mild steroid cream lessens infection-related inflammation.

Market Restraining Factors

Side reactions of treatment

Contrary to the curative effects, anti-fungal therapy may also cause various side effects. Anemia, headache, diarrhea, itching, and irritability are a few of them. It is also to blame for harming the liver and kidneys. In addition, a lot of anti-fungal medications can trigger allergic reactions. As a result, they are not recommended for use by children or pregnant women.

Additionally, medications used to treat Candida and Aspergillus spp infections, amphotericin B, and flucytosine have serious side effects, including hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and bone marrow depression. Hepatotoxicity can result from the drug class known as triazoles. When voriconazole was used, photosensitivity and visual disturbance occurred. It is crucial to use caution when recommending an anti-fungal medication to patients. As a result, the market growth may be constrained by the treatment's side effects.

Market Opportunities

Production of new drug

The market offers a wide variety of anti-fungal medications. Manufacturers have a tremendous opportunity to create new drugs because many have various side effects. Pregnant women and children are not typically prescribed many medications. Due to their unique structural and functional characteristics, advanced topical carriers also address biopharmaceutical issues with traditional drug delivery systems, such as poor retention and low bioavailability. In addition, topical anti-fungal medications are frequently administered using nanocarriers such as Solid-Lipid nanoparticles, Microemulsions, Liposomes, Niosomes, Microsponge, Nanogel, Nanoemulsion, Micelles, etc. In developing nations, there are numerous opportunities for market expansion. Therefore, creating new medications can offer the market tremendous growth potential.

Regional Insights

North america: dominant region with 6.47% market share

Americas is the most significant shareholder in the global market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.47% during the forecast period. The Americas hold a 40.97% market share due to the high prevalence of anti-fungal diseases, research expenditures, and the rapid adoption of cutting-edge treatments in the region. Researchers are expected to receive more grants to create new products for the market for anti-fungal treatments due to the large research budget being available. In addition to funding for research, the region has a higher prevalence of patients with various illnesses like candidiasis. It is anticipated that the major manufacturers will work together to optimize the cash flow channel and partially outsource the production process. For instance, Gilead Sciences, Inc. declared that it would increase its access initiatives for AmBisome. This increase in accessibility builds on Gilead's long-standing initiatives to provide AmBisome to the World Health Organization (WHO) and other public-sector organizations at significant savings. The growth rate is expected to increase due to rising research expenditures and a cooperative effort to increase access in the area.

Europe: fastest growing region with the highest cagr

Europe is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.43% during the forecast period. Europe is anticipated to experience considerable growth throughout the forecast period due to the greater availability of patients and diagnostic and treatment facilities. The region's market for anti-fungal treatments is expanding due to the availability of cutting-edge treatment centers, rising government initiatives to support research to find a cure for the rising number of cases, and increasing healthcare spending.

The anti-fungal treatment market is anticipated to grow fastest in Asia-Pacific. This rapid expansion is primarily attributed to the rising R&D funding from developing nations like China and India for the accessibility of fundamental treatments. The rising prevalence of fungal infections, the expansion of online pharmacies, and the rise in healthcare professionals are a few additional factors that affect the market's expansion.

The Middle East and Africa comprise the two market segments for anti-fungal treatments. Due to the growing number of businesses and subsidiaries offering treatment options in the Middle East and Africa, the market for anti-fungal treatments is expanding significantly.

Anti-Fungal Treatment Market Segmentation Analysis

By drug class

The market is bifurcated into azoles, echinocandins, polyenes, allylamines, and pyrimidines. The azoles segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.44% during the forecast period. The increased public awareness of various fungal infections is responsible for this growth. There has been a significant global focus on enhancing healthcare services, which fosters the market's expansion. Azoles are frequently prescribed medications for fungus-related illnesses and infections. Systemic fungal infections are where they are most commonly used. Triazoles and imidazoles are two categories into which the azoles used as systemic treatments can be divided. Two carbon atoms and three nitrogen atoms make up the five-membered ring of triazole antifungal medications. However, Imidazoles have two nitrogen atoms that are not adjacent. The medications in this class are effective against various fungi without having the negative nephrotoxic side effects associated with other therapies. Furthermore, Lanosterol 14 -demethylase, an enzyme required for fungus growth, is inhibited by azoles.

Pneumocandin B0, a naturally occurring substance of the fungus Glarea lozoyensis, is chemically modified to create echinocandins, which are semi-synthetic lipopeptides. They prevent the production of -D-glucan in the walls of fungal cells. After azoles, echinocandins are the most frequently prescribed medications for treating fungi. In patients with compromised immune systems, echinocandins treat systemic fungal infections. These medications must be administered intravenously because they are not absorbed in the GIT. Due to their solubility, antifungal spectrum, and pharmacokinetic characteristics, the semi-synthetic echinocandin derivatives caspofungin, micafungin, and anidulafungin are used in clinical settings.

By therapeutic indication

The market is bifurcated into systemic candidiasis, cryptococcosis, prophylactic use of antifungals, and coccidioidomycosis. The systemic segment owns the highest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.73% during the forecast period. Aspergillosis, geotrichosis, and other diseases comprise the remainder of the segment. Sinusitis, otomycosis, keratitis, and onychomycosis are the sub-segments of the aspergillosis segment. A systemic fungus infection impacts internal organs. This infection typically affects people with weak immune systems and those with underlying illnesses like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or tuberculosis. Aspergillosis and geotrichosis are the two main subtypes of systemic fungal infection. A pathogen called Aspergillus fumigatus frequently causes aspergillosis. In soil and other organic matter, these fungus molds can be found.

Yeast from the genus Candida brings on a fungal infection known as candidiasis. Most human infections are brought on by more than 20 species of Candida yeast. Candida albicans, or thrush, is a type of candidiasis that appears in the mouth. However, it might also impact the vagina, skin, and nails, among other bodily organs. Depending on the location affected, candidiasis has different signs and symptoms. Most candidiasis infections manifest at the infected site as itching and redness. Immunological illnesses can make this infection more likely to occur. Vaginal infections are more prevalent in pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems, and people who have recently taken antibiotics.

By pathogens

The market is bifurcated into candida, aspergillus, cryptococcus, coccidioides immitis, zygomycetes, and trichophyton. The candida segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.85% during the forecast period. A yeast called candida is a germ that weakens people’s immune systems. There are more than 20 different species of Candida yeasts that can infect people. The most typical of them is Candida albicans. Over 90,000 people in the US are affected by systemic infections of the bloodstream and major organs each year, most often in immunocompromised patients. Around the world, candida is primarily the cause of fungal infection or candidiasis. Candidiasis can develop in the vagina, bloodstream, mouth, and throat.

Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus, two of the most prevalent pathogenic species of Aspergillus, can be found both indoors and out. Aspergillosis is an infection brought on by the fungus Aspergillus that typically strikes those with compromised immune systems or lung conditions. Additionally, these fungi cause allergic reactions. Aspergillosis comes in various forms, including invasive aspergillosis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA).

By end-user

The market is bifurcated into hospitals and clinics and dermatology clinics. The hospitals and clinics segment owns the highest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.72% during the forecast period. Due to the rising number of patients with skin diseases and the rising cost of cosmetics, the hospitals and clinics segment holds the largest market share. Hospitals and clinics are increasingly implementing new and cutting-edge technologies to treat various skin conditions, including scar treatment, stretch mark treatment, and others. The methods for skin renewal rely on abrasion of the top layers of skin.

Due to rising per capita income and shifting lifestyles, cosmetics costs have steadily increased. Patients with various dermal conditions, including acne, hyperpigmentation, and photodamage, should seek treatment at dermatology clinics. Due to the rising demand for skincare services, more dermatology clinics are available. As a result, the segment's revenue will likely grow during the forecast period. Minimally invasive therapeutic and cosmetic procedures are becoming more widely used, a critical factor in the global market's expansion.

Recent Developments

• January 2023- FDA advisers backed Cidara and Melinta’s antifungal treatment.
• January 2023- Sandoz announced an agreement to acquire the leading antifungal agent Mycamine® from Astellas, reinforcing hospital offering and leading the Anti-Infectives portfolio.