Nearly 400 medicines and vaccines in development in the USA to fight infectious diseases, says PhRMA report

Critical challenges remain in the centuries-old battles against infectious diseases, particularly as bacteria and viruses mutate and as the threat of bioterrorism grows. Responding to this need, America’s biopharmaceutical research companies this year have 395 new medicines and vaccines in the pipeline to fight infectious diseases. All 395 are in later stages of development, meaning in clinical trials or under Food and Drug Administration review.

Scientists have made huge strides against infectious diseases, which until the 1920s were the leading cause of death in the USA. Nevertheless, more than 9.5 million people worldwide die each year from infectious diseases. Of particular concern today are virulent forms of “super bugs” that have mutated and grown resistant to available antibiotics. Among medicines in development are those for resistant forms of tuberculosis and staph infections, according a new report, titled Medicines in Development for Infectious Diseases 2010, prepared by the trade group Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).