The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first-ever reports addressing the critical gaps in medicines and diagnostic tools for invasive fungal diseases. Published on April 1, 2025, the reports emphasize the growing public health threat posed by fungal infections and the urgent need for innovative research and development (R&D) to combat these challenges.
Fungal infections, such as those caused by Candida species, are becoming increasingly resistant to treatment, disproportionately affecting immunocompromised individuals, including cancer patients, organ transplant recipients, and people living with HIV. WHO Assistant Director-General for Antimicrobial Resistance, Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, stated, “Invasive fungal infections threaten the lives of the most vulnerable, but countries lack the treatments needed to save lives.”
The reports reveal that only four new antifungal drugs have been approved globally in the past decade, with nine currently in clinical development. However, only three candidates have reached phase 3 trials, indicating that few new treatments are expected in the near future. Additionally, the lack of diagnostic tools, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, exacerbates the challenge of timely and accurate treatment.
WHO has identified fungi with mortality rates as high as 88% in its Fungal Priority Pathogens List (FPPL), underscoring the need for safer, more effective antifungal medicines. The organization has called for increased investment in global surveillance, financial incentives for drug discovery, and expanded access to diagnostic tools to address this pressing issue.
The reports serve as a wake-up call for governments, healthcare providers, and researchers to prioritize fungal infections as a critical area of public health concern. By closing the gaps in testing and treatment, the global community can better protect vulnerable populations and improve health outcomes worldwide.
