PUBLISHER: AnalystView Market Insights | PRODUCT CODE: 1877439
PUBLISHER: AnalystView Market Insights | PRODUCT CODE: 1877439
The Anti-Infective Drugs Market size was valued at US$ 134,267.21 Million in 2024, expanding at a CAGR of 3.1% from 2025 to 2032.
The anti-infective drugs market focuses on the development and distribution of medications used to prevent and treat infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. The rising incidence of hospital-acquired infections and increasing antibiotic resistance have pushed pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline to expand their R&D pipelines for novel antimicrobials. For example, the WHO reported that over 4.95 million deaths in 2023 were linked to drug-resistant bacterial infections, creating urgent demand for advanced therapies. Partnerships between biotech firms and academia are supporting the development of next-generation antibiotics and antivirals. However, high development costs and declining profitability of antibiotics discourage smaller players from entering the market. Expanding access to treatments in emerging economies and the rising focus on combination therapies present opportunities for companies to diversify product portfolios and improve patient outcomes.
Anti-Infective Drugs Market- Market Dynamics
Rising Infection Burden and Antimicrobial Resistance Fuel Innovation in Anti-Infective Drugs
Rising infection rates and growing antimicrobial resistance are pushing global health agencies and pharmaceutical companies to accelerate innovation in anti-infective drugs. According to the WHO, antimicrobial resistance was responsible for 1.27 million direct deaths a year, with an additional 3.68 million deaths associated with drug-resistant infections. This has led organizations like the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to fund initiatives for rapid diagnostic tools and novel antibiotics. Governments are also supporting public-private partnerships, such as the AMR Action Fund, to address the dwindling antibiotic pipeline. These efforts are encouraging the development of new classes of antimicrobials, targeted antivirals, and combination therapies to combat resistant pathogens more effectively.
The Global Anti-Infective Drugs Market is segmented on the basis of Drug Class, Indication, Route of Administration, End-User, and Region.
The market is divided into four categories based on Drug Class: Antibacterial, Antifungals, Antiparasitic, and Antivirals. Antibacterials hold the highest share due to widespread bacterial infection treatments, followed by antivirals driven by rising viral outbreaks. Antifungals rank next with the growing incidence of invasive fungal infections, while antiparasitics represent a smaller but crucial niche segment globally.
The market is divided into nine categories based on Indication: Pneumonia, Sepsis, Tuberculosis, Dermatophytosis, Candidiasis, Hepatitis virus infection, HIV infection, Covid-19 Virus, and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. Pneumonia leads due to its high global burden, followed by sepsis, as critical care demand rises. HIV and hepatitis infections hold strong shares with ongoing treatment programs, while tuberculosis and MRSA drive antibiotic development. Candidiasis, dermatophytosis, and COVID-19 represent targeted therapeutic segments.
Anti-Infective Drugs Market- Geographical Insights
North America leads the anti-infective drugs market due to strong healthcare infrastructure and continuous R&D investments by players like Pfizer and Merck. In 2018, Pfizer collaborated with BioNTech to expand mRNA-based anti-infective applications beyond COVID-19, strengthening its regional presence. Europe follows closely, supported by EU-funded antimicrobial resistance (AMR) programs and partnerships like GSK's collaboration with BARDA to develop new antibiotics. Asia-Pacific is emerging as a key growth hub, driven by rising infection rates and government efforts to improve access to treatments; for instance, India's National Action Plan on AMR promotes antibiotic stewardship and local production. Latin America and MEA witness growing vaccine adoption and public health campaigns.
Anti-Infective Drugs Market- Country Insights
The United States dominates the North American anti-infective drugs market, supported by advanced healthcare systems and a robust pipeline of clinical trials. In 2024, Merck acquired Prometheus Biosciences to strengthen its immunology and infectious disease portfolio, enhancing its research capabilities. The U.S. government's Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) continues funding collaborations with companies like GSK and Venatorx Pharmaceuticals to accelerate antibiotic development. Rising cases of multidrug-resistant infections reported by the CDC are prompting hospitals to adopt newer therapies and diagnostic tools. Strong regulatory frameworks from the FDA and incentives like the GAIN Act further encourage innovation and commercialization of novel anti-infectives.
The competitive landscape of the anti-infective drugs market is shaped by leading players such as Pfizer, Merck, GSK, Johnson & Johnson, and Roche, who are expanding portfolios through R&D and strategic deals. In 2020, Pfizer partnered with Gilead Sciences to co-develop new antiviral combinations targeting resistant infections. GSK's collaboration with BARDA supports the development of next-generation antibiotics, while Johnson & Johnson invests in bacteriophage research to combat superbugs. Smaller biotech firms like Venatorx Pharmaceuticals and Iterum Therapeutics are entering collaborations with big pharma to scale manufacturing and distribution. This mix of partnerships, acquisitions, and government-backed programs is intensifying competition and accelerating drug innovation.
In February 2025, the Merieux Foundation, SPIM, and WHO launched a new Guide to Prescribing Anti-infective Drugs in Madagascar, updating antibiotic chapters, diagnostics, and integrating WHO's 2023 AWaRe classification to support standardized prescribing and strengthen national AMR action plans.
In February 2025, the U.S. FDA approved EMBLAVEO(TM) (aztreonam + avibactam) for adult patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections when few or no treatment options exist, including infections by E. coli and Klebsiella.