Our
commitment to the treatment of fungal
infections
Fungal infections are contagious
and often chronic. Successful treatment
is therefore essential to improving
the patient's quality of life.
The Janssen Research Foundation has
a long history of leadership in antifungal
research. It has developed a wide
range of antifungal drugs that are
recognized worldwide.
Early
developments in the treatment of fungal
infections
Many drugs used to treat fungal
infections of the skin are applied
directly to the site of infection
in the form of ointments, creams or
medicated shampoos. In the 1960s,
our researchers made history with
the discovery of DAKTARIN™
(miconazole) and PEVARYL™
(econazole). These medicines are available
almost everywhere in cream, spray,
powder or gel forms. In addition,
NIZORAL™ shampoo
has been developed for the treatment
of seborrhoeic dermatitis and/or dandruff.
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Some fungal infections affect
large or inaccessible areas of
the body or internal organs, making
treatment with an ointment unsuitable
or impossible. For this reason,
our scientists sought to develop
an antifungal drug which could
be taken in tablet form and be
carried throughout the body. In
1976 their search was rewarded
with the discovery of NIZORAL™
(ketoconazole). It was a breakthrough
comparable to the discovery of
the first oral antibiotics. |
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| Further research and refinement
of ketoconazole led to the discovery,
in 1980, of SPORANOX™
(itraconazole). |
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Itraconazole has become our most
successful antifungal product. The
drug is effective against a wide range
of fungi, and thus can be used to
treat numerous fungal infections of
the skin and nails.
Itraconazole also has demonstrated
activity against most systemic fungal
infections, including aspergillosis
and histoplasmosis.
Recent developments
in the treatment of fungal infections
The Janssen Research Foundation
is working to improve itraconazole treatment
regimens still further. This has resulted,
among other things, in the development
of an oral solution, which is a useful
treatment for oral candidosis, a painful
and unpleasant condition that is very
common in immunocompromised patients.
An intravenous formulation is also being
developed, which may further widen the
usefulness of SPORANOX™ in
the treatment of severe, deep fungal
infections. |
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