The future for antiparasitic agents

Antiparasitics acting on endo- or ectoparasites represent the second largest segment of the global animal health market, accounting for 23% of market share. However, relatively few novel antiparasitic agents have been introduced into the market during recent decades. One exception, and a groundbreaking 21st century success story, are the isoxazolines, whose full potential has not yet been entirely explored. Unfortunately, resistance issues are present across most parasitic diseases, which generates a clear market need for novel resistance-breaking antiparasitics with new modes/mechanisms of action. In a recent review by Paul Selzer and Christian Epe, Antiparasitics in Animal Health: Quo Vadis? in Trends in Parasitology (DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.09.004 ) the recent advances in science and technologies are examined and it is concluded that that, with the pressures of drug resistance and climate change, the time is right to invest in new ways of controlling parasites, such as parasitic vaccines or in environmentally friendly interventions. Future research in
second-generation biocontrol approaches could become a promising area. As the agricultural/crop sciences area faces similar challenges and demands the animal health industry could see opportunities for future collaborative approaches between these industries to provide innovative solutions to meet these new expectations.

Selzer, P.M.; Epe, C. Antiparasitics in Animal Health: Quo Vadis? 2020, Trends in Parasitology. Published:October 07, 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2020.09.004