C difficile infections market to hit $1.7bn by 2026

The global therapeutics and prophylactics market for Clostridium difficile infections is set to grow from just under $630m in 2016 to almost $1.7bn by 2026, representing a compound annual growth rate of 10.2%, according to research and consulting firm GlobalData.

The major drivers of this growth include the projected launch of prophylactic options for the prevention of  C difficile infections (CDIs), and microbiological approaches for the treatment of recurrent CDIs (rCDIs).

Several investigational products aim to leverage the clinical potential of faecal microbiota transplants (FMT) to create a drug that lowers the rate of recurrence for patients recovering from CDIs. Seres Therapeutics’ SER-109 and Rebiotix’s RBX2660 are both FMT- derived therapies that aim to provide an alternative for physicians with strong clinical efficacy and safety data. Both have completed Phase II clinical efficacy trials, and will be positioned to target patients with rCDI.

Dr Moore continues: "Companies are also developing prophylactic interventions for the prevention of CDIs, some of which GlobalData anticipates will launch during the forecast period. Sanofi Pasteur’s toxoid vaccine ACAM-CDIFF is currently undergoing Phase III clinical trials and is likely to be the first CDI prophylactic product to market. Two other vaccines, Pfizer’s PF-06425090 and Valneva’s VLA84, are also on track to launch within the forecast period.

"Although current antibiotic treatment options are effective at curing existing infections, they leave patients susceptible to recurrence. In this way, manufacturers should take note of the unmet need for interventional products that reduce the risk of recurrence for patients recovering from CDIs. Despite the fact that Zinplava will partially satisfy this need, it will still remain significant for the duration of the forecast period."