How Can Investing in Anthelmintic Drugs Be Rewarding for Your Pharma Business?

Key Takeaways:

• Introduction
• Reasons for rising demand for anthelmintic drugs
• Cestode and nematode anthelmintic drugs
• Latest updates in the anthelmintic drugs industry

Anthelmintic drugs are medications that are administered for expelling parasitic worms from the host’s body. Also called as vermifuges or vermicides, this group of anti-parasitic drugs either eliminate the parasites completely or stunt their growth. Certain anthelmintic drugs even disrupt the metabolic processes of the parasite which leads to flushing out of the parasite from the host’s body.

Why have anthelmintic drugs gained importance in the last decade?

A vital structural problem faced by Least Developed Countries (LDC) is the prevalence of certain chronic diseases among its infant and adolescent population. Moreover, some of the helminthic infections even affect the cattle population. These diseases hamper the overall development of society and prevent the country from growing at its fullest potential. The diseases characteristic of LDCs are generally caused by lack of hygiene and proper sanitation. One such disease which is widely prevalent in LDCs is helminthiasis, a macroparasitic disease caused by infestation of worms. This disease forms part of Neglected Tropical Diseases which are prevalent in LDCs of Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Since the past decade, policy makers, medical researchers, scientists, and civil societies have come together to combat Neglected Tropical Diseases. A major initiative in this direction was the London Declaration on Neglected Tropical Diseases in 2012. A collaboration of WHO and World Bank, this initiative aims to combat soil-transmitted helminthiasis. This global initiative to eradicate helminthic infections has been a key driver for the growth in demand for anthelmintic drugs.

Why are pharmaceutical companies investing in cestode and nematode anthelmintic drugs?

Helminthiasis is primarily of two types- nematode infection and cestode infection. In cestode infection, tapeworms attach themselves to the host’s intestine with the help of a sucker, thus causing intestinal infection. In the past few years, a huge rise in the incidence of this medical condition has been recorded in countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Medical studies have shown that cestode infections are generally prevalent in communities which consume beef and pork regularly. In fact, consumption of raw or uncooked meat, poor hygiene, and lack of proper sanitation are the top three reasons for the rise in tapeworm infection cases. The rising prevalence of cestode anthelmintic drugs has led to development of two drugs- albendazole and praziquante. These drugs restrict the glucose intake of tapeworms, thereby reducing their ability to produce energy. Their growth is thus stunted which effectively results in a reduction in infection.

Nematode infection, on the other hand, is a complicated medical condition caused by roundworms. This is because roundworms, unlike tapeworms living in the intestine, live in the host’s blood. Hence, targeting roundworms with drugs becomes difficult; specialized anthelmintic drugs are necessary for its treatment. For this purpose, drugs such as Diethylcarbamazine and ivermectin have been developed. These anti-parasitic drugs are designed in such a manner that the intestinal tract not only absorbs them, but their chemical composition enables them to penetrate the intestinal tissues. Thus, nematode anthelmintics enter the blood and attack roundworms effectively. This unique mode of action offered by nematode anthelmintics is expected to push the nematode infection segment to become the fastest growing segment by 2032.

How are businesses adjusting to the evolving nature of the anthelmintic drugs industry?

A serious hurdle in eradicating helminthic infections is the phenomenon of anthelmintic resistance. Anthelmintic resistance is a condition wherein the parasites that cause helminthic infections are no longer subdued by anthelmintics and their insensitivity is passed on to their future generations. This effectively negates the action of anthelminthics and renders them useless.

A medical research paper published in 2021 suggests manufacturing and use of nature-based anthelmintic drugs to counter anthelmintic resistance. The medical research opines that anti-parasitic drugs produced from vegetation of a particular region will be more effective in treating helminthic infection among populations of that specific area. Also, the study states that folk medicine knowledge can play an important in the development of such anthelmintics. The unique approach offered by this medical study has received huge acclaim from medical practitioners around the world and pharmaceutical companies have initiated their own studies in this domain.

Apart from commissioning such medical studies, pharmaceutical companies are launching their own conventional anthelmintic drugs to gain a lead over their competitors in the industry. For instance, in August 2021, LASA Supergenerics, a leading veterinary and human APIs manufacturer in India, announced the launch of Oxyclozanide, an anthelmintic drug for treatment of fascioliasis in cattle.

To summarize, the anthelminthic drug industry has experienced huge growth in the last few years owing to international collaborations to fight helminthic infections. Moreover, increasing investments by pharmaceutical companies in cestode and nematode anthelmintics have also contributed to the industry’s growth. Ingenious medical studies and product launches by pharmaceutical companies will further expand the scope of the industry in the coming period.

 

For tips and suggestions on how to capitalize on the opportunities offered by the anthelmintic drugs industry, feel free to contact us.

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