Toxoplasmosis Continues to Threaten the Pregnant and Immuno-compromised as Drug Pipeline Disappoints

Wednesday 18 July 2012, Amsterdam

While the number of people suffering from parasitic disease toxoplasmosis is due to rocket in the next few years, current treatments are not stepping up to the challenge, according to the new Toxoplasmosis Therapeutics - Pipeline Assessment and Market Forecasts to 2019 report.

The new report states that parasite reemergence has resulted from global warming, urbanization and subsequent changes in livestock systems, while severe side effects, hypersensitivity and drug compliance issues in congenital cases are increasing patient dissatisfaction with current treatment methods.

In addition, no drug is currently able to eliminate latent or inactive stages of the parasite's life cycle should an epidemic hit a vulnerable population.

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease spread through contact with animals and raw meat, and is thought tobe carried by up to half of the world's human population. Infection can cause mild, flu-like symptoms, though many individuals experience no illness. However, weakened immune systems in AIDS patients and pregnant women can lead to serious illness, with rare fatalities occurring.

The treatment market comprises of several drugs often prescribed in combination depending on the severity of the infection and the form of toxoplasmosis. The combination of the anti-protozoan pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine is considered gold-standard therapy for toxoplasmosis adjuvant with folinic acid, but is not well-tolerated by patients, who often suffer adverse events.

Spiramycin is used in pregnant women infected with Toxoplasma gondii during their first trimester to prevent transmission to the foetus, but it has been not approved by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Adverse side effects and unestablished safety profiles for pregnant women demonstrate the need for developments in toxoplasmosis drug testing.

The lack of epidemiology studies and screening programs used to investigate toxoplasmosis implies that clinical understanding of the parasite could still be improved. Screening programs have been implemented in Western Europe, but are not used in the US or the UK, and there is also a lack of national screening programs at a prenatal and postnatal level in the US and Japan respectively.

For companies looking to enter this market, this report estimates that the global toxoplasmosis therapeutics market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.9% from 2011, to reach $1.55 bn by 2019.

This report identifies the key trends shaping and driving the market, and provides insights into the prevalent competitive landscape and the emerging players expected to significantly alter the market positioning of the current market leaders. Most importantly, it provides valuable insights into the pipeline products in the global toxoplasmosis therapeutics market sector.

This report is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research and in-house analysis by a team of industry experts.