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Last Updated: April 17, 2025

Drugs in ATC Class B05CA


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Drugs in ATC Class: B05CA - Antiinfectives

TradenameGeneric Name
AVAGARD alcohol; chlorhexidine gluconate
CHLORHEXIDINE GLUCONATE chlorhexidine gluconate
EXIDINE chlorhexidine gluconate
>Tradename>Generic Name
Showing 1 to 3 of 3 entries

B05CA Market Analysis and Financial Projection

The ATC Class B05CA - Antiinfectives encompasses a specialized group of agents used primarily in irrigating solutions for infection control. This class includes drugs like chlorhexidine, nitrofural, and cetylpyridinium, which are critical in surgical and clinical settings. Below is an analysis of market dynamics and patent landscapes shaping this segment.


Market Dynamics

Growth Drivers

  • Increasing Surgical Procedures: Demand for anti-infective irrigants is rising with growing surgical volumes, particularly in orthopedics and gastrointestinal surgeries, where postoperative infections remain a concern[6][8].
  • Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): Resistance to conventional antibiotics has intensified the need for adjunctive anti-infective irrigants like chlorhexidine gluconate, which reduces bacterial load in wounds[1][7].
  • Regulatory Support: Streamlined approvals for novel formulations (e.g., improved stability or reduced toxicity) are accelerating market entry[7][13].

Market Size and Projections

  • The broader anti-infective agents market was valued at $135.43 billion in 2024, projected to grow at a 1.61% CAGR through 2030[7].
  • While B05CA-specific revenue isn’t isolated, key agents like chlorhexidine dominate due to their widespread use in preoperative skin preparation and wound care[6][8].

Regional Trends

  • North America: Leads adoption due to advanced healthcare infrastructure and high surgical volumes. Companies like Xellia Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer are expanding production capacities[3][7].
  • Asia Pacific: Fastest-growing region, driven by healthcare access improvements and rising medical tourism. Japan’s 2018 launch of Dafclir Tablets exemplifies localized innovation[3][13].

Challenges

  • Generic Competition: Patent expirations for drugs like chlorhexidine (18 patents listed) are enabling cheaper generics, pressuring profit margins[6][8].
  • Regulatory Hurdles: Stricter guidelines for antimicrobial stewardship programs limit overuse, affecting volume-based sales[1][7].

Patent Landscape

Key Patents and Expirations

  • Chlorhexidine gluconate: Used in products like EXIDINE® and AVAGARD®, it has 18 active patents covering formulations and medical applications. Generic versions are emerging post-expiry, increasing market competition[6][8].
  • Nitrofural (B05CA03): Patented for use in urinary tract irrigation, with primary patents expiring between 2025 and 2030[6][14].

Innovation Trends

  • Combination Therapies: Recent patents focus on blending anti-infectives with analgesics or anti-inflammatory agents to enhance efficacy[4][14].
  • Delivery Systems: Advances in sustained-release formulations (e.g., hydrogel-based chlorhexidine) aim to prolong antimicrobial activity[8][12].

Strategic Moves

  • Acquisitions: Basilea Pharmaceutica’s 2024 acquisition of a preclinical antibiotics program highlights R&D shifts toward novel mechanisms to combat resistant infections[7].
  • Geographic Expansion: Companies like Astellas Pharma are targeting Asia Pacific with localized launches, such as Dafclir Tablets in Japan[3].

Competitive Outlook

The B05CA market is moderately consolidated, with key players including Abbott Laboratories, Pfizer, and Bayer HealthCare AG[3][13]. Differentiation strategies include:

  • Portfolio Diversification: Expanding into antifungal and antiviral irrigants to address broader infection types[7].
  • Cost Optimization: Partnerships with generics manufacturers to leverage economies of scale[6][13].

Key Takeaways

  • The B05CA anti-infectives market is driven by surgical demand and AMR, but faces headwinds from generics and stewardship policies.
  • Patent cliffs for chlorhexidine and nitrofural will reshape competition, while innovation in drug-device combinations offers growth avenues.
  • Regional disparities in growth highlight opportunities in emerging markets, contingent on regulatory and infrastructural support.
"Antimicrobial resistance remains a critical driver for innovation in anti-infective irrigants, necessitating both novel formulations and responsible use." – Grandview Research[7]

References

  1. https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/antibiotics-market-5325
  2. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Nitrofurazone
  3. https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/anti-infective-drugs-market-2489/regional-analysis
  4. https://www.treatmentactiongroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/hcv_tb_longacting_patent_trends.pdf
  5. https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-anti-infective-drugs-market
  6. https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/atc-class/B05CA
  7. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/anti-infective-agents-market
  8. https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00878
  9. https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/air-traffic-control-equipment-market-159216929.html
  10. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6879237/
  11. https://evolvebi.com/report/air-traffic-control-market-analysis/
  12. https://www.bccresearch.com/market-research/pharmaceuticals/antibiotics-tech-market-report.html
  13. https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/anti-infective-drugs-market
  14. https://www.atccode.com/B05CA

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