ANTIBIOTICS MARKET ANALYSIS

Market Size and Trends

Global antibiotics market is estimated to be valued at USD 55.33 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 78.24 Bn by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1% from 2024 to 2031.

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The antibiotics market is witnessing positive trends with the increasing demand for effective antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial infections. Rising prevalence of infectious diseases and growing awareness about antibiotic treatment options are expected to drive the market growth. Additionally, the market is also benefiting from recent new product launches with improved formulations and novel drug delivery systems. However, overutilization and misuse of antibiotics have led to antimicrobial resistance which remains a major challenge. This has encouraged manufacturers to invest more in the research and development of advanced antibiotics. Stringent regulations regarding the use of antibiotics are also being implemented to prevent antibiotic resistance.

High Consumption of Antibiotics across the Globe

High consumption of antibiotics across the globe is expected to augment the growth of the global antibiotics market during the forecast period. For instance, antibiotics are medicines that fight bacterial infections in people and animals. They kill bacteria or prevent them from reproducing and spreading, and thus, there is an increase in the demand for antibiotics worldwide. According to the new research conducted by the Lancet Regional Health-Southeast Asia in September 2022, Azithromycin 500 mg tablet was the most consumed antibiotic formulation (7.6%) in India, followed by cefixime 200 mg tablet (6.5%).

Market Concentration and Competitive Landscape

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Rising prevalence of infectious diseases around the world is expected to propel the growth of the global antibiotics market during the forecast period. For instance, antibiotics are powerful medicines that fight bacterial infections. Antibiotics are used to treat or prevent some types of bacterial infections. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2020, around 7,174 new cases of tuberculosis (TB) were reported in the U.S. Moreover, the common cold affects millions of people in the U.S. every year.

Key Takeaways from Analyst

The global antibiotics market faces opportunities for growth due to rising antimicrobial resistance worldwide. Growing resistance to existing antibiotics is a key driver as it is prompting increased R&D for new drug classes. Stringent regulations for drug approval pose a restraint across markets. Producers are also challenged by shrinking pipelines and fewer new antibacterial drugs in development. Alternatives to traditional antibiotics are gaining interest as preventive therapies against bacterial infections. Injectable versions of antibiotics are seeing higher demand over oral formulations for severe hospital-acquired infections.

North America will continue to dominate the market given the strong pharmaceutical industry and high healthcare spending in the U.S. Asia Pacific is expected to emerge as the fastest growing regional market owing to its large population and improving access to healthcare.

Generic competition erodes prices of major drugs losing patent protection. However, premium products addressing multi-drug resistance strains may see insulated demand. Developing nations present opportunities for low-cost generic manufacturers to capture market share. Public and private initiatives to curb antibiotic overuse aim to optimize consumption and clinical outcomes long-term. Overall industry growth depends on the successful introduction of novel classes that can overcome rising drug resistance worldwide.

Market Challenges: Rise in Incidence of Antibiotic Resistance

Rise in incidence of antibiotic resistance is expected to hamper the growth of the global antibiotics market. For instance, antibiotic resistance is a serious public health problem. It occurs when bacteria develop the ability to survive exposure to antibiotics designed to kill them or prevent their growth. Moreover, it results in longer hospital stays, higher medical costs, and increased mortality.

Market Opportunities: Increasing Acquisition by Key Market Players

Increasing acquisition by key market players is expected to offer lucrative growth opportunities over the forecast period. For instance, in September 2021, Lincoln Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical company announced that it had acquired a facility in Gujarat, India to launch Cephalosporin products. It intends to invest USD 3.59 (Rs 30 crores) in the Cephalosporin plant, including capacity expansion and modernization of the facility. The company is planning to manufacture 20 plus Cephalosporin products and is planning to start product registration soon for the domestic and exports markets.

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Drug type segment is sub-segmented into cephalosporins, penicillins, fluroquinilones, macrolides, carbapenems, sulfonamides, aminoglycosides, and others. The alcohol addiction sub-segment is estimated to hold 26.0% of the market share in 2024, owing to its high versatility and growing resistance to other drug types. Cephalosporins are semi-synthetic antibiotics that continue to evolve, allowing them to treat a wide range of bacterial infections. Newer generations have been developed with an even broader spectrum of coverage. This versatility makes Cephalosporins highly preferable for empirical therapy when the causative organism is unknown. It also allows them to be used as a substitute when patients exhibit resistance or allergies to other classes like Penicillins. The rising microbial resistance towards historically effective drugs like Penicillins is a significant driver for the popularity of Cephalosporins. Bacteria have developed various mechanisms like efflux pumps and alteration of binding sites to resist Penicillins and other older antibiotic classes. On the other hand, bacteria have only accumulated resistance to early generation Cephalosporins so far. Later generations still retain their efficacy against most common pathogens. As resistance trends continue increasing pressure on traditional options, physicians and patients continue to rely more on the malleable Cephalosporin class for versatile therapy.

Insights, By Spectrum: Broad Coverage against Common Infections

Spectrum segment is sub-segmented into broad-spectrum antibiotics, narrow-spectrum antibiotics. The broad-spectrum antibiotics sub-segment is estimated to hold 53.7% of the market share in 2024, owing to the growing adoption of biologics and biosimilars. NSAIDS have been conventionally used as the first line treatment for relieving joint pains, fever, and swelling associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). However, as the understanding of autoimmune pathways improved, biologics specifically targeting B-cells, T-cells and other cytokine pathways have replaced conventional NSAIDS for SLE patients with severe organ involvement or those inadequate responsive to NSAIDS. Innovation in the field of biologics has led to the approval of several autoimmune pathway inhibitors like belimumab, rituximab, hydroxychloroquine, and mycophenolate over the past decade. Additionally, patent expiration of blockbuster biologics has also fueled the market entry of their cheaper biosimilar counterparts. Both biologics and biosimilars collectively account for over 50% of the total SLE drug market currently owing to their superior efficacy and safety profile over NSAIDS especially for high risk SLE patients. This shift towards biologics from NSAIDS continues to positively impact the overall growth of the NSAIDS market segment.

Insights, By Route of Administration: Increasing Research and Development Activities for Oral Antibiotics

Route of administration segment is sub-segmented into oral, intravenous, and others. The oral sub-segment is estimated to hold 36.1% of the market share in 2024, owing to increasing research and development activities for oral antibiotics. For instance, on April 17, 2024, GSK plc, a pharmaceutical company, announced the positive results from the pivotal EAGLE-1 phase III trial for gepotidacin, a potential first-in-class oral antibiotic with a novel mechanism of action for uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhoea (GC) in adolescents and adults. Unlike intravenous therapies requiring hospitalization, or even intramuscular injections, orally available drugs empower patients to self-administer treatment from the comfort of their own homes. This degree of comfort and access increases adherence to prescribed dosing regimens. It also promotes faster drug intake at the first onset of symptoms, which is conducive for quicker clinical resolution.

Regional Insights

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North America is the dominant region in the global antibiotics market and is estimated to hold 35.4% of the market share in 2024. This is due to the rising incidence of infectious diseases and growing healthcare expenditure by the government in the region. Antibiotics are used to fight bacterial infections. They either kill bacteria or stop them from reproducing, allowing the body to eliminate pathogens. For instance, the U.S. government is undertaking various measures to control infectious diseases such as antibiotic stewardship initiatives and R&D activities.

Asia Pacific is also expected to witness robust growth in the global antibiotics market due to the rising prevalence of infectious diseases, rising consumption of antibiotics, and favorable government initiatives in the region. For instance, antibiotics are widely used to prevent and treat bacterial infections. Used properly, antibiotics can save lives. India has emerged as one of the world's largest consumers of antibiotics. As per the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), India is the world's fourth largest consumer of antimicrobials for animal use, after China, the U.S., and Brazil.

Market Report Scope

Key Developments

• On January 30, 2024, Orchid Pharma Ltd., a pharmaceutical company, announced that it had received an approval from the European Medicines Agency for marketing its antibiotic 'Exblifeb,' the first completely invented-in-India Beta Lactamase inhibitor," and it is designed to address the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
• In April 2023, Baxter International Inc., a healthcare company, launched ZOSYN in the U.S. (piperacillin and tazobactam) Injection
• In October 2021, Sandoz, a Novartis AG division acquired GSK's cephalosporin antibiotics business. It now has the rights to three well-known brands (Zinnat, Zinacef, and Fortum) in 100 markets, strengthening its position as the world's leading antibiotics company.
• In May 2021, Sandoz, a Novartis AG division, announced plans to further strengthen its Europe-based antibiotics manufacturing network by further expanding production capabilities in Kundl, Austria and in Palafolls, Spain. By modernizing and simplifying its manufacturing setup, Sandoz will improve its ability to consistently deliver high-quality medicines to patients, while remaining cost-competitive in the global antibiotics market.

*Definition: Antibiotics are medicines that fight bacterial infections in people and animals. These drugs help destroy or slow down the growth of bacteria. Antibiotics either kill bacteria or stop them from reproducing, allowing the body to eliminate pathogens. When used properly, antibiotics can save lives.

Market Segmentation

• Drug Type Insights (Revenue, USD Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Cephalosporins
  • Penicillins
  • Fluroquinilones
  • Macrolides
  • Carbapenems
  • Sulfonamides
  • Aminoglycosides
  • Others
•  Spectrum Insights (Revenue, USD Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics
  • Narrow-Spectrum Antibiotics
•  Route of Administration Insights (Revenue, USD Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Oral
  • Intravenous
  • Others
•  Drug Origin Insights (Revenue, USD Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Natural
  • Semisynthetic
  • Artificial
• Regional Insights (Revenue, USD Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • North America
    • U.S.
    • Canada
  • Latin America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Mexico
    • Rest of Latin America
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • U.K.
    • Spain
    • France
    • Italy
    • Russia
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • Australia
    • South Korea
    • ASEAN
    • Rest of Asia Pacific
  • Middle East
    • GCC Countries
    • Israel
    • Rest of Middle East
  • Africa
    • South Africa
    • North Africa
    • Central Africa
• Key Players Insights
  • Abbott 
  • Sanofi
  • Novartis AG
  • Bayer AG
  • GSK plc
  • AstraZeneca
  • Noreva Biotech
  • Emcure Pharmaceuticals
  • Torrent Pharma
  • Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
  • Mylan N.V.
  • F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.
  • Merck & Co. Inc.
  • Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
  • Pfizer Inc.
  • Orchid Pharma Ltd.