Candidiasis Treatment Market

An Expanding Patient Population with Pre-medical Conditions Sustains Candidiasis Treatment Demand

The Candidiasis Treatment Market is valued at USD 3.4 Bn in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 4.5 Bn,  growing at a CAGR of 4% by 2033.Candidiasis, a yeast/fungal infection caused by Candida, is typically observed in the patient pool with pre-medical condition(s), which makes them immune-compromised. Candida is a common inhabitant of human body parts, especially skin, and mouth. The most common species that cause infections are C. glabrata, C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, and C. krusei. There are different types of infections caused due to candidiasis such as invasive infection, oropharyngeal candidiasis, and cutaneous candidiasis. Candidiasis in the mouth and throat is also called oropharyngeal (or thrush) candidiasis, while that in the oesophagus is known as oesophageal candidiasis, or Candida oesophagitis. Whereas, the infection in vagina is referred to as the vaginal yeast infection (vaginal candidiasis). Studies revealed that about ~20% of women normally have Candida in the vagina without any trouble. However, it can create an issue if grows beyond threshold due to hormonal changes, or compromised immunity.

Prevalence of Multiple Types of Candidiasis Augments Need for Effective Candidiasis Treatment

Oropharyngeal candidiasis is the most common fungal infection of the mouth, and provides a huge market growth opportunity. ~6% of infants (less than a month) also get affected by the oral candidiasis, whereas ~20% of cancer patients on chemotherapy, and ~20% of total AIDS patients also tend to develop this oral infection. Invasive candidiasis is the fourth most common cause of bloodstream infections among hospital patients in the US During 2013–2017. The average incidence was approximately nine per 100,000 people; however, this number varies substantially by geographic location, and patient population. Vaginal candidiasis is one of the most severe forms of fungal infections. In the US alone, 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. Nearly 50% of AIDS patients tend to develop oesophageal candidiasis along with some other oesophageal conditions.

Lack of Effective Candidiasis Treatments, and Rising Awareness about Available Treatments Spur Demand

The growth of the global candidiasis therapeutics market is driven by the rising number of candidiasis infection cases worldwide, and increasing awareness about the available treatment options for candidiasis infections. As per The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ~46,000 cases of healthcare-associated invasive candidiasis occur annually in the US, and candidemia is one of the most common bloodstream infections in the country. CDC estimates that approximately 25,000 cases of candidemia occur nationwide each year, whereas the CDC surveillance (Emerging Infections Program) data reports that up to 25% mortality is seen in hospitalised patients with candidemia. Other key market drivers are rising government spending on R&D of fungal diseases, off-label drug usage, limited efficacious antifungals, as well as the lack of reliable treatments so far.

Growing Antifungal Resistance in Candida Antifungal Drugs Presents a Difficulty

CDC has observed about 7% of all Candida blood samples tested. Except Candida albicans, resistance remains the most common cause of severe candidiasis, particularly in Candida parapsilosis, Candida auris, and Candida glabrata. Resistance to echinocandins is particularly concerning, which appears to be increasing in the species Candida glabrata (C. glabrata). For the past 20 years, C. glabrata has high levels of resistance to the antifungal fluconazole. So, echinocandin resistance severely limits treatment options for patients with infections caused by C. glabrata. Another species with emerging concerns is Candida auris. In the US, resistance rates for C. auris are much higher than that for other Candida species. As per CDC records, ~90% of the US’ C. auris samples are resistant to fluconazole, and ~33% are resistant to amphotericin B. C. auris is a serious public health issue due to the difficulty in diagnosis with standard laboratory methods. Moreover, it readily spreads in hospitals, and long-term care facilities.

Growing R&D Activities to Develop Novel Treatment Options Support Market Growth

Various government, and private institutions from around the world are constantly working on projects to develop novel drug therapies to counter candidiasis. In June 2019, the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) proved the effectiveness of a combination therapy (anti-fungal + anti-bacterial) against target multidrug resistant Candida auris. In July 2019, researchers from Instituto de Química Rosario (Argentina) developed chitosan nano formulations for the delivery of antifungal agents to aid in the development of a pharmaceutical dosage form suitable for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis. In September 09, 2019, Southmead Hospital (Bristol) collaborated with Triticum Exploitatie B.V. over the vulnerability testing of Candida albicans to honey, and an MGH formulation (L-Mesitran) in patients suffering from recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Azoles Remain a Dominating Antifungal Drug Class Recommended for Candidiasis Treatment

Different drugs under various drug classes are generally prescribed for the candidiasis treatment. Although azoles, polyene, echinocandins, antimetabolite, and allylamines are preferred drug classes along with a few others, azoles remain the most sought-after drug class for the treatment of candidiasis. Triazole agents are the most preferred azoles, including fluconazole, itraconazole, terconazole, butoconazole, econazole, and tioconazole. The recently developed triazoles, viz. voriconazole, posaconazole, ravuconazole) are effective against fluconazole-resistant strains, and have shown high efficacy against candidiasis in some clinical studies.

Key Players in Global Candidiasis Treatment Market

• Pfizer Inc.
• Merck & Co., Inc.
• GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK)
• Johnson & Johnson
• Bayer AG
• Astellas Pharma Inc.
• Novartis AG
• Sanofi S.A.
• AstraZeneca plc
• Bristol Myers Squibb Company
• Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
• AbbVi Inc.
• Cipla Limited
• Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
• Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories

Route of Administration

• Oral
• Injection
• Ointment

Class of Drugs

• Azole
• Polyene
• Echinocandin
• Miscellaneous

Anatomy Type

• Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
• Oral Candidiasis
• Cutaneous Candidiasis
• Invasive Candidiasis
• Systemic Candidiasis

Distribution Channel

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Retail Pharmacies
• Drug Stores

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa