Fluoroquinolones : An Overview

A vast array of fluoroquinolones having excellent broad-spectrum activity forms an invaluable part of the present anti-infective armoury of the clinicians. A number of these compounds are today's blockbusters of the antibacterial market due to their therapeutic efficacy having tolerable side-effects and thus, challenging the predominance of well- established β-lactam antibiotics which are becoming more prone to the resistant pathogenic bacteria. The fluoroquinolones are the fastest growing antibacterial class in terms of global revenue, increasingly being used in both the hospital and community sectors to treat a broad range of infections1. Report Highlights: Of the 20 antibacterials lately introduced into the clinic seven are fluoroquinolones and of which four are expected to dominate the market by 2010.However, the US patent expiry of Bayer's blockbuster Cipro, is set to change the dynamics of this sector while novel compounds are increasingly favoured in the light of drug resistance. The fluoroquinolone market is heavily dominated by ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, which together command 65% ($3.3 billion) of global sales2. The broad spectrum of pathogen activity exhibited by these compounds, alongside their wide range of available formulations, creates significant challenges for companies looking to introduce novel products.