Infectious Disease
Home / Infectious Disease
Infectious Disease
Infectious Disease: A New Era of Antimicrobial Innovation Amid Global Threats
Infectious diseases remain a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. The rise of drug- resistant pathogens, emerging viruses, and pandemics has driven rapid innovation in antimicrobial development—culminating in several novel agents approved by the FDA between 2019 and 2025.
New FDA-Approved Agents (2019–2025)
| Year | Agent | Company | Indication / Novelty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Pretomanid | TB Alliance | XDR/MDR TB – first-in-class nitroimidazole for drug-resistant TB (fda.gov) |
| 2019 | Lefamulin (Xenleta) | Nabriva | Oral/IV antibiotic for CABP; first systemic pleuromutilin |
| 2019 | Lefamulin | Included above | — |
| 2019 | Cefiderocol (Fetroja) | Shionogi | Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative cUTI |
| 2019 | Recarbrio (imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam) | Merck | Resistant Gram-negative infections |
| 2020 | Remdesivir (Veklury) | Gilead | Hospitalized COVID-19 |
| 2021 | Ibrexafungerp (Brexafemme) | Scynexis | First oral triterpenoid antifungal for VVC |
| 2021 | Apretude (cabotegravir) | ViiV | Long-acting HIV PrEP injection |
| 2021 | Fexinidazole | Sanofi/DNDi | First all-oral sleeping sickness therapy |
| 2023 | Rezafungin (Rezzayo) | Cidara/Melinta | Once-weekly echinocandin for candidemia |
| 2023 | Sulbactam–durlobactam (Xacduro) | Entasis | Resistant A. baumannii pneumonia |
| 2023 | Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) | Pfizer | Oral COVID-19 antiviral |
| 2024 | Ceftobiprole (Zevtera) | Basilea | SAB, ABSSSI, CABP |
| 2024 | Pivmecillinam (Pivya) | FDA-initiated | Uncomplicated UTI in women |
| 2025 | Emblaveo (aztreonam/avibactam) | AbbVie/Pfizer | cIAI with resistant pathogens |
| 2025 | Yeztugo (lenacapavir) | Gilead | Biannual injectable HIV PrEP; capsid inhibitor |
| 2025 | Clesrovimab (Enflonsia) | Merck | Prophylaxis for RSV in infants via monoclonal antibody |
Emerging Therapeutic Strategies
- ● Long-acting injectables: Cabotegravir and lenacapavir make disease prevention more convenient and adherence-friendly.
- ● New antifungal agents: Ibrexafungerp and rezafungin combat resistant fungal strains.
- ● Monoclonals for prevention: Clesrovimab offers passive RSV immunity in vulnerable infants.
- ● Resistance-focused antibiotics: Emblaveo and cefiderocol tackle hard-to-treat Gram- negative infections.
- ● Global health breakthroughs: Pretomanid and fexinidazole provide essential tools in the fight against neglected tropical diseases.
Diagnostics & Stewardship
Precision antimicrobials demand precise diagnostics:
- ● Rapid molecular tests and resistance gene panels enable targeted therapy.
- ● Stewardship programs in hospitals guide appropriate use, minimizing resistance emergence.
Future Directions
The infectious disease training landscape is evolving:
- ● Pan-viral agents ready for future outbreaks
- ● Phage therapy to target resistant microorganisms
- ● RNA-based therapies and vaccines fueled by mRNA technology acceleration
- ● Global access initiatives, especially for underserved regions and neglected diseases
Your Financial Contribution Can Help Us Fund Critical Programs & Initiatives
As a Nonprofit organization, we are deeply committed to raising awareness, providing patient support, and advocating for better resources and research for individuals living with rare diseases.
Quick Links
Rare Diseases
Contact Us
For general questions about our organization, our mission, or how you can get involved, please email us. We endeavor to respond to all inquiries