The North America antibiotics and antimycotics market is anticipated to grow from US$ 5,963.83 million in 2023 and is projected to reach US$ 11,285.47 million by 2031; it is expected to register a CAGR of 8.3% during 2023-2031. The antibiotics and antimycotics market growth is attributed to the increasing geriatric population, the growing burden of dental diseases, and the surging demand for cosmetic dentistry.
Antibiotics and antimycotics are antimicrobial agents targeting different types of pathogens. Antibiotics are further classified into bactericidal antibiotics, which kill bacteria (penicillins and cephalosporins), and bacteriostatic antibiotics, which inhibit bacterial growth (tetracyclines and macrolides). Antibiotics are widely used to treat bacterial infections, but their effectiveness is challenged by the rise of antibiotic-resistant strains. Antimycotics are specifically designed to combat fungal infections. They work by targeting various aspects of fungal cell structure or metabolism. Common classes of antimycotics include azoles (fluconazole), polyenes (amphotericin B), and echinocandins (caspofungin). Antimycotics are essential in treating conditions caused by fungi, such as candidiasis and aspergillosis.
The North America antibiotics and antimycotics market is segmented into the US, Canada, and Mexico. The market is mainly driven by the rising prevalence of bacterial and fungal infections, the presence of developed healthcare infrastructure, and the availability of a wide range of antibiotics and antimycotics for the treatment of such infections. Additionally, the rise in product launches, approvals, and other strategic initiatives by major players is expected to create opportunities for the market growth during the forecast period.
In North America, the US is the largest market for antibiotics and antimycotics. The US antibiotics and antimycotics market growth is driven by the increasing prevalence of fungal and bacterial infections and the growing need for effective treatment options. Pneumonia is the most common respiratory infection in the US. According to Verywell Health Journal 2024 report, every year, ~1.5 million adults in the US are diagnosed with pneumonia; of which around 1 million are admitted to hospitals while 50,000 people die due to pneumonia or related complications. Amoxicillin and azithromycin are the most commonly used antibiotics prescribed in the US in outpatient settings for the treatment of bacterial infections. In addition, with ongoing advancements in pharmaceutical research and technology, the development of new antibiotics and antifungal agents has gained momentum, responding to the growing concerns about antibiotic resistance and the need for innovative therapies. Moreover, the growing awareness about the importance of antimicrobial stewardship programs has led to a more cautious approach to antibiotic prescription, prompting a shift toward targeted therapies and combination treatments. This is particularly evident in hospital settings, where the growing incidence of hospital-acquired infections necessitates the use of potent antimicrobials.
Key players are taking strategic initiatives such as product launches, product approvals, and collaborations, which are expected to support the market growth during the forecast period. For instance, in April 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zevtera (ceftobiprole medocaril sodium for injection) for the treatment of adults suffering from Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections (SAB), including those with right-sided infective endocarditis and adults suffering from acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI). Additionally, in March 2023, The US FDA approved REZZAYO (rezafungin for injection) for the treatment of candidemia and invasive candidiasis.
Technological Advancements in Product Development and Treatment Delivery Approaches
The pharmaceutical industry emphasizes incorporating intelligent technologies such as deep learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning in the development of new antibiotics. Researchers are working to establish tools and platforms for identifying new active compounds. Harnessing the capabilities of novel technologies in new antibiotic discoveries is expected to change the overall course of antibiotic and antimycotic development and approval processes.
Developing antibiotics for Gram-negative bacteria poses a significant challenge to researchers, and many drugs are still in the development phases. Limited permeability across the envelope of these bacteria due to nutrient-specific protein channels (porins) restricts the movement of non-essential molecules (including antibiotics) across membranes. Considering the difficulties around cell membrane permeability, researchers have developed a new Computational Antibiotic Screening Platform (CLASP) that helps identify potential drug molecules based on the analysis of porins. Advantages such as coarse grain (CG) resolution, advanced sampling techniques, and a parallel computing environment maximize the performance of CLASPs. The platform provides complete thermodynamic and kinetic results for a potential drug molecule under study in a few hours. It also helps understand or identify small molecule libraries that yield structure-property relationships to discover antibiotics with high permeability.
There is a rising inclination toward precision medicine approaches that involve adjusting antibiotic treatments based on patients’ genetic profiles and resistance patterns that are common among large populations. Such a revolution would improve drugs’ functionality while ensuring minimal adverse effects and curbing the development of resistance. Phage therapy has emerged as another novel approach that involves a potential combination of traditional microbial treatments with bacteriophages to target and destroy antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Promising recent advancements in gene-editing technologies, such as CRISPR, has the ability to further enhance the prospects of phage therapy. Thus, technological advancements in drug development and treatment delivery approaches are expected to bring new growth trends in the antibiotics and antimycotics market growth in the coming years.
Antibiotics and Antimycotics Market: Competitive Landscape and Key Developments
Pfizer Inc, Novartis AG, Sanofi SA, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Merck & Co Inc, GSK Plc, Johnson & Johnson, Cipla Ltd, Bayer AG, AbbVie Inc, and Astellas Pharma Inc. are among the key companies operating in the antibiotics and antimycotics market.
The US Food and Drug Administration, National Institute of Health, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization (WHO), National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System are among the primary and secondary sources referred to while preparing the antibiotics and antimycotics market report.