Drug-Resistant Infections
Drug-resistant infections – those that are not killed or inhibited by anti-infective drugs – are an increasingly important public health concern. More than two-thirds of the bacterial infections acquired in U.S. hospitals and about half of the common bacterial infections in outpatients do not respond to at least one of the antibiotics that used to work, and many physicians are concerned that several bacterial infections soon may be untreatable. Anti-infectives are the third largest segment of the pharmaceutical industry, with annual worldwide sales totaling $45 billion, and a strong growth rate. Broad-spectrum, multi-indication anti-infective drugs generally have potential annual sales of $1 billion within three years of market introduction.

Topical and body cavity infections are a major therapeutic area for application of anti-infectives, and require local application of the drug to kill the infection. Treatment of sinusitis and ear infections are the first and second most common reasons for antibiotic prescriptions, and the culprit, Streptococcus pneumoniae, is more likely to be resistant than any other common bacteria. Conjunctivitis is the most common eye problem seen by primary care physicians, and there is presently no approved drug treatment for viral conjunctivitis.

Sinusitis
Sinusitis is the most common reason for office-visit prescription of antibiotics in US adults. In 1992 Americans spent $200 million on prescription medications for rhinosinusitis and more than $2 billion for over-the-counter medications. Figures suggest the total annual direct cost of treatment, including drugs, doctors’ office visits and surgery, and indirect costs, including restricted activity days, is in excess of US $6 billion.

Conjunctivitis (“Pink Eye”)
Conjunctivitis is one of the most common nontraumatic eye complaints resulting in presentation to the emergency department. Conjunctivitis is considered extremely common in the US. 3% of all emergency department visits are ocular related, and conjunctivitis is responsible for approximately 30% of all eye complaints. Japanese sales of anti-infective eye-drops including Levofloxin (Cravit) and Ofloxacin (Taravid) were $232 million in 2001, and Japanese sales generally represent roughly 25% of the worldwide pharmaceuticals market. Antibiotics don’t help allergic or viral conjunctivitis, and there is no approved treatment for viral conjunctivitis.

Otitis Externa (“Swimmer’s Ear”)
Doctors write more outpatient antibiotic prescriptions for ear infections than for any other condition except sinusitis. Ear Infections account for 30 million pediatrician visits (USA) annually.

Skin Ulcers
The skin ulcer portion of the wound care industry is estimated at $3.3 billion globally. A lack of effective treatment options has heretofore added to the increased costs of skin ulcer treatment and has contributed to the growing frustration in the industry. New product manufacturers can capitalize on these concerns by offering products designed to improve healing rates and prevent wound formation within a cost conscious framework.

Infections
Anti-infectives are the third largest segment of the pharmaceutical industry, with annual global sales totaling $45 billion. This figure is projected to increase 10% annually, based on continued population expansion, increasing healthcare demands and the growth in the world pharmaceutical market. Broad-spectrum, multi-indication anti-infective drugs generally have potential annual sales of $1 billion within three years of market introduction. This makes them ideal candidates for drug development from the perspective of the pharmaceutical companies.