The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) released a new report – Medicines in Development for Infectious Diseases 2010 – which highlights that “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 (FDA) review.”

The report also notes that “a total of 145 vaccines are in development to prevent a variety of infections, including a number of forms of influenza. Additionally, 88 antibiotics and 96 antivirals are in development. Treatments for HIV infection are not included in the most recent report, but a 2009 survey identified 97 medicines and vaccines in testing for HIV/AIDS.”

The full report  is available at: http://www.phrma.org/sites/phrma.org/files/attachments/Infectious_Diseases_2010.pdf