Hospital Infection Therapeutics Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Drug Type (Antibiotics Drugs, Antifungal Drugs, Antiviral Drugs, Others), By Application (Bloodstream Infections, Pneumonia, Surgical Site Infections, Urinary Tract Infections, Gastrointestinal Disorders, Other Hospital Infections), By Region and Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 9.65 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.95%
Fastest Growing Segment	Antiviral Drugs
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 13.65 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Hospital Infection Therapeutics Market will grow from USD 9.65 Billion in 2025 to USD 13.65 Billion by 2031 at a 5.95% CAGR. The Global Hospital Infection Therapeutics Market consists of pharmaceutical formulations, such as antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals, administered to treat nosocomial infections acquired by patients during hospital stays. Market growth is distinctly supported by the escalating prevalence of multidrug-resistant pathogens and an aging global population that necessitates prolonged hospitalization and complex invasive procedures. Furthermore, increased clinical vigilance regarding sepsis and catheter-associated conditions compels healthcare facilities to adopt advanced antimicrobial regimens, ensuring a sustained demand for effective therapeutic interventions.

However, a significant challenge impeding market expansion is the lack of economic viability in novel drug development, which has led to a critical void in the supply of new treatments. The high cost of research combined with low returns on investment for short-course therapies discourages continued commercial focus. According to the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations, in 2024, data revealed that there was only one antibiotic candidate in Phase III clinical trials targeting the four bacterial pathogens classified as critical priorities. This scarcity of late-stage candidates underscores the financial hurdles currently stifling innovation in the sector.

Key Market Drivers

The escalating prevalence of multidrug-resistant pathogens serves as the primary catalyst propelling the Global Hospital Infection Therapeutics Market. As bacteria evolve complex resistance mechanisms, standard antibiotic regimens are increasingly rendering ineffective, necessitating the adoption of advanced, reserve-line therapeutics. This urgency is compounded by the rising incidence of hospital-acquired infections, particularly in intensive care units where vulnerable patients face heightened risks. According to the World Health Organization, in May 2024, in the 'WHO Bacterial Priority Pathogens List 2024', the agency identified 15 families of antibiotic-resistant bacteria classified as critical priorities for new treatment development. The market burden is further evidenced by infection trends; according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in July 2024, in the 'Antimicrobial Resistance Threats in the United States, 2021-2022' report, data indicated that hospital-onset antimicrobial-resistant infections increased by 20% during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period, underscoring the sustained demand for effective interventions.

Simultaneously, favorable regulatory incentives and government funding are vital in sustaining market growth by offsetting the high risks associated with antimicrobial drug development. Since the commercial return on short-course antibiotics is often insufficient to attract private equity, public sector investment has become indispensable for maintaining a robust clinical pipeline. Governments and international bodies are increasingly deploying push incentives to support biotech firms through the costly early stages of research. For instance, according to the UK Department of Health and Social Care, in May 2024, in the 'Confronting antimicrobial resistance 2024 to 2029' national action plan, the government pledged £85 million to support global partnerships and research initiatives aimed at combating antimicrobial resistance. This injection of non-dilutive capital de-risks the development process for pharmaceutical companies, ensuring a steady supply of novel therapeutic candidates entering the market to address the crisis.

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Key Market Challenges

The most significant impediment to the Global Hospital Infection Therapeutics Market is the lack of economic viability in developing novel antimicrobial drugs. This structural market failure occurs because the high costs associated with research and development are not matched by sufficient returns on investment, largely because new antibiotics are often reserved as last-resort treatments to prevent resistance rather than sold in high volumes. This unfavorable economic environment discourages pharmaceutical companies from sustaining their antimicrobial portfolios, leading to a capital exodus and a stagnant pipeline that fails to generate the high-value products necessary for robust market growth.

This disruption in the supply of innovative treatments directly constricts financial expansion by forcing the market to rely on older, lower-cost generics rather than premium novel therapies. According to the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations, in 2024, a report highlighted that due to these incentives challenges, only ten new antibiotics were approved by stringent regulatory authorities between 2017 and 2023, with just two classified as innovative. This minimal output of novel therapeutics severely limits revenue opportunities and hampers the market's ability to address evolving medical needs.

Key Market Trends

The adoption of AI-driven drug discovery is fundamentally reshaping the Global Hospital Infection Therapeutics Market by accelerating the identification of novel antimicrobial compounds that traditional screening methods often miss. This technological integration allows pharmaceutical companies to rapidly analyze vast chemical libraries and predict molecular efficacy against resistant bacterial strains, thereby revitalizing a stagnant clinical pipeline. By leveraging machine learning algorithms, developers can optimize lead candidates for safety and potency with unprecedented speed, directly addressing the critical shortage of effective treatments for hospital-acquired infections. According to The Silicon Review, March 2025, in the 'Pfizer's $2B AI-Powered Antibiotics to Combat Superbugs' article, Pfizer announced a $2 billion investment into an AI-powered discovery platform specifically aimed at automating the identification of next-generation treatments for multidrug-resistant pathogens.

Simultaneously, the market is witnessing the significant emergence of phage therapy as a viable alternative to conventional antibiotics. As bacterial resistance mechanisms compromise standard drug classes, therapeutic focus is shifting toward bacteriophages—viruses that specifically target and neutralize pathogenic bacteria without harming beneficial microbiota or inducing broad-spectrum resistance. This trend represents a paradigm shift from chemical to biological interventions, offering precision treatment options for difficult-to-treat conditions like bacteremia and catheter-associated infections. According to Armata Pharmaceuticals, November 2025, in the 'Third Quarter 2025 Results' report, the company’s lead phage candidate AP-SA02 demonstrated a 100% clinical response rate without relapse in patients with complicated Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, underscoring the high therapeutic potential of these novel biological agents.

Segmental Insights

The Antiviral Drugs segment is currently the fastest-growing category within the Global Hospital Infection Therapeutics Market. This rapid expansion is primarily driven by the escalating global prevalence of severe viral infections, including HIV, Hepatitis, and Influenza, which necessitate intensive clinical management. Furthermore, the market is benefiting from a surge in research and development activities aimed at combating emerging viral threats and drug resistance. Regulatory bodies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have actively supported this growth by granting expedited approvals for novel therapies, thereby ensuring timely access to life-saving treatments in hospital settings.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the global hospital infection therapeutics market due to its established healthcare infrastructure and substantial healthcare spending. The region benefits from strict infection control protocols and surveillance programs supported by institutions such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, the concentrated presence of major pharmaceutical manufacturers accelerates the availability of effective treatments. Comprehensive insurance coverage and favorable reimbursement policies further encourage the adoption of therapeutics, ensuring that North America remains the primary revenue generator in the global sector.

Recent Developments

• In April 2024, Basilea Pharmaceutica received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Zevtera (ceftobiprole medocaril sodium for injection) for the treatment of three specific indications: Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections (bacteremia), including right-sided infective endocarditis; acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections; and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia. This approval established Zevtera as a versatile antibiotic option for serious bacterial infections in both adult and pediatric patients. The decision was based on positive results from Phase 3 clinical trials, which validated the drug's efficacy and safety profile in treating severe infections often encountered in hospital settings.
• In April 2024, Pfizer received marketing authorization from the European Commission for Emblaveo (aztreonam-avibactam) for the treatment of adult patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections, hospital-acquired pneumonia including ventilator-associated pneumonia, and complicated urinary tract infections. The authorization also covered the treatment of infections caused by aerobic Gram-negative organisms in patients with limited treatment options. This approval introduced the first beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combination in the European Union specifically designed to treat serious bacterial infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens, including metallo-beta-lactamase-producing bacteria.
• In February 2024, Allecra Therapeutics announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval for Exblifep (cefepime and enmetazobactam) for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs), including pyelonephritis, in adult patients. The approval was supported by clinical data demonstrating the drug's efficacy against antimicrobial resistance in Gram-negative bacteria, particularly those producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases and AmpC enzymes. This regulatory milestone marked a significant advancement for the company, introducing a new therapeutic option to the hospital infection market designed to combat resistant pathogens that challenge current standard-of-care treatments.
• In January 2024, Venatorx Pharmaceuticals and the Menarini Group entered into a strategic collaboration for the commercialization of the investigational antibiotic cefepime-taniborbactam. Under the terms of the agreement, the Menarini Group acquired the exclusive rights to market the asset in 96 countries across Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Commonwealth of Independent States, pending regulatory approval. This partnership was established to leverage the Menarini Group's extensive regional commercial infrastructure to address the growing need for new treatments against multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, specifically targeting complicated urinary tract infections and hospital-acquired pneumonia.

Key Market Players

• Merck & Co., Inc.
• Pfizer Inc.
• Bayer AG
• GlaxoSmithKline Plc.
• Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited
• AbbVie Inc.
• Abbott Laboratories
• F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd
• Allergan Plc.
• AstraZeneca Plc.

By Drug Type	By Application	By Region
Antibiotics Drugs Antifungal Drugs Antiviral Drugs Others	Bloodstream Infections Pneumonia Surgical Site Infections Urinary Tract Infections Gastrointestinal Disorders Other Hospital Infections	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Hospital Infection Therapeutics Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Hospital Infection Therapeutics Market, By Drug Type:

• Antibiotics Drugs
• Antifungal Drugs
• Antiviral Drugs
• Others

• Hospital Infection Therapeutics Market, By Application:

• Bloodstream Infections
• Pneumonia
• Surgical Site Infections
• Urinary Tract Infections
• Gastrointestinal Disorders
• Other Hospital Infections

• Hospital Infection Therapeutics Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE