Pfizer has a proud tradition of discovering and developing medicines that have truly benefited global health care through the treatment of infectious diseases.
However, the nature of infectious diseases is that they change and develop new strains that are resistant to current therapies. As recent history has shown, there is always the possibility of a new infectious disease emerging with little or no warning. The most significant example of this in recent history is, of course, HIV/AIDS. Pfizer is breaking new ground in our approaches to the treatment of HIV, and we are exploring a number of other approaches in research and development to find new treatments for HIV/AIDS.
In 2006, Pfizer acquired the British company PowderMed, giving us the ability to discover and develop not just medicines, but vaccines to treat infectious diseases, and influenza in particular. PowderMed brings with it a novel DNA vaccine technology platform, as well as two potential influenza vaccines designed for the company's innovative, needle-less intradermal delivery method.
Indications for medicines currently in phases of development, from Phase I through recent approval:
Bacterial Infections
Infections in patients in either the community or hospital setting, most notably involving multidrug-resistant bacteria strains.
Fungal Infections
Medicines with the ability to treat a spectrum of infections caused by different kinds of fungi.
- Aspergillosis — A specific type of fungal infection which can particularly affect the lungs, bronchial airways, sinus cavities, eyes and ears, especially in those with weakened immune systems.
- Esophageal Candidiasis — A fungal infection (of the genus Candida) within the esophagus.
- Invasive Candidiasis/Candidemia — An infection of the bloodstream by the Candida fungus, which can spread throughout the whole body and most frequently occurs in hospitalized patients.
Hepatitis C Virus
A virus that causes inflammation of the liver, usually transmitted through blood or sexual contact.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
The virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) which destroys the body’s immune system and ability to fight infection and disease.
Malaria
Transmitted by Anopheles mosquito bites, malaria is a parasitic infection causing chills and fever and can lead to death.
Skin and Skin Structure Infections
Caused by bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains.