The antibiotics and antimycotics market in North America is projected to expand significantly, with an estimated growth from US$ 5,963.83 million in 2023 to US$ 11,285.47 million by 2031. This growth trajectory indicates a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3% from 2023 to 2031. The primary drivers of this market expansion include the increasing elderly population, the rising incidence of dental diseases, and the heightened demand for cosmetic dental procedures.
Antibiotics and antimycotics serve as crucial antimicrobial agents that target various pathogens. Antibiotics can be categorized into two main types: bactericidal antibiotics, which actively kill bacteria (such as penicillins and cephalosporins), and bacteriostatic antibiotics, which inhibit bacterial growth (like tetracyclines and macrolides). While antibiotics are extensively utilized to treat bacterial infections, their effectiveness is increasingly compromised by the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains. On the other hand, antimycotics are specifically formulated to address fungal infections, functioning by disrupting different aspects of fungal cell structure or metabolism. Common classes of antimycotics include azoles (e.g., fluconazole), polyenes (e.g., amphotericin B), and echinocandins (e.g., caspofungin). These agents are vital for treating fungal-related conditions such as candidiasis and aspergillosis.
The North American antibiotics and antimycotics market is divided into three key regions: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The market's growth is primarily fueled by the increasing prevalence of bacterial and fungal infections, the presence of advanced healthcare infrastructure, and the availability of a diverse array of antibiotics and antimycotics for effective treatment. Furthermore, the rise in product launches, regulatory approvals, and strategic initiatives by leading companies is anticipated to create additional growth opportunities throughout the forecast period.
Within North America, the United States represents the largest segment of the antibiotics and antimycotics market. The growth in this sector is driven by the rising rates of fungal and bacterial infections, alongside the growing demand for effective treatment solutions. Pneumonia stands out as the most prevalent respiratory infection in the US. According to a report from Verywell Health Journal in 2024, approximately 1.5 million adults in the US are diagnosed with pneumonia annually, leading to around 1 million hospital admissions and approximately 50,000 deaths due to pneumonia or its complications. Amoxicillin and azithromycin are among the most frequently prescribed antibiotics in outpatient settings for bacterial infections. Additionally, ongoing advancements in pharmaceutical research and technology are accelerating the development of new antibiotics and antifungal agents, addressing the urgent concerns surrounding antibiotic resistance and the necessity for innovative treatment options. The increasing awareness of antimicrobial stewardship programs has also fostered a more judicious approach to antibiotic prescriptions, promoting targeted therapies and combination treatments, particularly in hospital environments where hospital-acquired infections are on the rise.
Key industry players are actively engaging in strategic initiatives such as product launches, approvals, and collaborations, which are expected to bolster market growth during the forecast period. For example, in April 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval for Zevtera (ceftobiprole medocaril sodium for injection) to treat adults with Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections (SAB), including those with right-sided infective endocarditis and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI). Additionally, in March 2023, the FDA approved REZZAYO (rezafungin for injection) for the treatment of candidemia and invasive candidiasis.
Technological advancements are playing a pivotal role in the development of new products and treatment delivery methods. The pharmaceutical sector is increasingly focusing on integrating intelligent technologies such as deep learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning into the creation of new antibiotics. Researchers are striving to develop tools and platforms that facilitate the identification of new active compounds. The application of these novel technologies in antibiotic discovery is expected to transform the overall landscape of antibiotic and antimycotic development and approval processes.
Developing antibiotics specifically targeting Gram-negative bacteria presents significant challenges for researchers, with many potential drugs still in the development stages. The limited permeability of these bacteria's membranes, due to nutrient-specific protein channels (porins), restricts the movement of non-essential molecules, including antibiotics. To address these challenges, researchers have created a new Computational Antibiotic Screening Platform (CLASP) that aids in identifying potential drug molecules by analyzing porins. This platform offers advantages such as coarse grain (CG) resolution, advanced sampling techniques, and a parallel computing environment, enhancing the performance of CLASPs. It provides comprehensive thermodynamic and kinetic data for potential drug candidates within hours and assists in identifying small molecule libraries that reveal structure-property relationships to discover antibiotics with high permeability.
There is a growing trend towards precision medicine, which involves tailoring antibiotic treatments based on patients' genetic profiles and prevalent resistance patterns within populations. This approach aims to enhance drug efficacy while minimizing adverse effects and reducing the risk of resistance development. Phage therapy has also emerged as a promising novel strategy, combining traditional microbial treatments with bacteriophages to specifically target and eliminate antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Recent advancements in gene-editing technologies, such as CRISPR, further enhance the potential of phage therapy. Consequently, technological innovations in drug development and treatment delivery methods are expected to drive new growth trends in the antibiotics and antimycotics market in the years ahead.
The competitive landscape of the antibiotics and antimycotics market features key players such as 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.
Primary and secondary sources, including the US Food and Drug Administration, National Institute of Health, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization (WHO), and National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, have been utilized in the preparation of the antibiotics and antimycotics market report.