Table of Contents
Overview
New York, NY – June 24, 2025 – Global Anti Infectives Market size is expected to be worth around US$ 154.5 billion by 2034 from US$ 133.1 billion in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 1.5% during the forecast period 2025 to 2034. In 2024, North America led the market, achieving over 39.1% share with a revenue of US$ 52.0 Billion.
The global anti-infectives market is experiencing stable growth, supported by increasing demand for effective treatment options against bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections. Anti-infectives remain a critical component of global healthcare systems, especially as new infectious diseases continue to emerge and antimicrobial resistance escalates.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), infectious diseases account for nearly 25% of all global deaths, underscoring the essential role of anti-infective agents. Antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitic drugs are being increasingly utilized across hospitals, outpatient clinics, and community health programs to address this growing threat. The introduction of novel therapies, combination treatments, and repurposed drugs is further enhancing clinical outcomes in both acute and chronic infections.
The injectable segment dominates the market due to its rapid action and usage in critical care, while oral formulations remain widely accessible in primary care settings. North America leads the market due to strong healthcare infrastructure, while Asia-Pacific shows rising potential owing to increasing healthcare access and high infection rates.
Governments and health organizations continue to invest in antimicrobial stewardship programs, infectious disease surveillance, and research on drug-resistant pathogens. As global health security becomes a top priority, the anti-infectives market is projected to witness consistent expansion over the coming years.
Key Takeaways
- In 2024, the global anti-infectives market recorded a revenue of USD 133.1 billion and is projected to reach USD 154.5 billion by 2033, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.5%.
- Based on product type, the market is categorized into antibacterials, antivirals, and antifungals. Among these, antivirals held the largest share in 2023, accounting for 53.5% of the total market.
- By route of administration, the market is segmented into oral, parenteral, topical, and others. The oral segment dominated with a 58.7% share, owing to ease of use and patient preference.
- In terms of distribution channels, the market includes hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, and others. Hospital pharmacies emerged as the leading channel, capturing 61.2% of total revenue.
- Regionally, North America held the largest market share, accounting for 39.1% in 2023, driven by advanced healthcare infrastructure and high adoption of anti-infective therapies.
Segmentation Analysis
- Product Type Analysis: In 2024, the antivirals segment dominated the anti-infectives market with a 53.5% share, driven by the global rise in viral infections such as HIV, influenza, and COVID-19. Ongoing innovation in antiviral drug development and better understanding of viral resistance are supporting this growth. Additionally, increased global preparedness for emerging viral threats and the continued need for effective outbreak control are expected to sustain strong demand for antiviral therapies in both acute and long-term care settings.
- Route of Administration Analysis: Oral formulations accounted for 58.7% of the anti-infectives market in 2024, making it the leading route of administration. This dominance is attributed to the ease of use, non-invasive delivery, and patient preference for self-administered medications. The growing availability of effective oral antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals is enhancing outpatient treatment options. As chronic infectious conditions requiring long-term management become more prevalent, the demand for convenient and reliable oral therapies is expected to remain robust.
- Distribution Channel Analysis: Hospital pharmacies held a dominant 61.2% share of the anti-infectives market in 2024. This is due to their vital role in providing prescription-based therapies for acute and serious infections treated in clinical settings. The increase in hospital admissions related to infectious diseases, including surgical site infections, is fueling demand for targeted drug administration. Hospital pharmacies ensure the availability of high-potency anti-infectives, supporting both critical care and post-operative recovery, which reinforces their central role in infection management.
Market Segments
Product Type
- Antibacterials
- Penicillin
- Macrolides
- Fluoroquinolones
- Cephalosporins
- Carbapenem
- Others
- Antivirals
- Antifungals
- Polyenes
- Echinocandins
- Azoles
- Others
Route of Administration
- Topical
- Parenteral
- Oral
- Others
Distribution Channel
- Hospital Pharmacies
- Retail Pharmacies
- Others
Regional Analysis
North America led the global anti-infectives market in 2024, capturing the largest revenue share of 39.1%. This dominance is attributed to increasing concerns over antibiotic resistance and the sustained need for effective infection control. According to the CDC, six antimicrobial-resistant hospital-onset infections remained elevated in 2022 compared to pre-pandemic levels.
In response, the U.S. FDA approved 50 new molecular entities in 2024, including three novel antibiotics: Exblifep, Zevtera, and Orlynvah. Additionally, in March 2025, the FDA approved Blujepa (gepotidacin) for treating urinary tract infections, reflecting continued innovation in anti-infective therapies.
In contrast, the Asia Pacific region is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to a high burden of infectious diseases and escalating antibiotic resistance. The WHO estimates that antimicrobial resistance causes over 700,000 global deaths annually, with a large share from Asia. Rising resistance to key treatments such as ceftriaxone in China, as reported by China-GRSP, and national policies promoting responsible antibiotic use are expected to accelerate regional growth in anti-infective demand, particularly for tuberculosis and dengue treatments.
Emerging Trends
- Escalating Antimicrobial Resistance: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains a critical public‐health threat. In the United States alone, over 2.8 million antimicrobial resistant infections occur each year, resulting in more than 35 000 deaths annually. Globally, bacterial AMR was directly responsible for an estimated 1.27 million deaths in 2019 and contributed to nearly 4.95 million deaths overall.
- Expansion of the Antibiotic Development Pipeline: Although innovation is urgent, the clinical pipeline for new antibacterial agents has grown modestly from 80 agents in 2021 to 97 in 2023. This increase reflects renewed investment but still falls short of addressing the resistance crisis.
- Refined Pathogen Prioritization: The WHO’s 2024 Bacterial Priority Pathogens List now covers 24 antibiotic-resistant pathogens across 15 families, emphasizing critical‐priority Gram-negative bacteria and drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This refined list aims to guide research and R&D toward the highest‐risk organisms.
- Increased Modeling of Healthcare-Associated Infections: New CDC efforts, such as the Modeling Infectious Diseases in Healthcare Network (MInD), simulate the spread of healthcare associated infections (HAIs), including resistant strains, to inform targeted prevention strategies. These models underscore that HAIs, especially resistant infections, have become far more common in recent decades.
Use Cases
- Surgical Prophylaxis to Prevent SSIs: Surgical site infections (SSIs) remain a major concern, accounting for roughly 20% of all HAIs and leading to an estimated 110 800 SSIs in 2015 among inpatient surgeries. Adherence to CDC antimicrobial prophylaxis guidelines correct drug choice, dosing, timing within one hour before incision, and discontinuation after skin closure has been shown to reduce SSI risk by up to 60%.
- Early Empiric Therapy in Sepsis: Sepsis, often triggered by bacterial infection, results in approximately 1.7 million adult hospitalizations and at least 350 000 deaths each year in the U.S.. Prompt administration of broad-spectrum anti-infectives within the first hour of recognizing sepsis has been linked to significantly improved survival rates.
- Treatment of Invasive MRSA Infections: In 2017, an estimated 119 247 Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections occurred in the U.S., with 19 832 associated deaths. Anti-infectives such as vancomycin, daptomycin, and linezolid remain the backbone of therapy for these life-threatening infections, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and stewardship.
Conclusion
The global anti-infectives market is poised for sustained growth, driven by the rising burden of infectious diseases, increasing antimicrobial resistance, and continuous innovation in drug development. With antivirals leading the product segment and oral formulations dominating administration routes, the market reflects evolving treatment preferences.
North America remains a key revenue contributor, while Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth. Government initiatives, refined pathogen prioritization, and real-world use cases in sepsis, surgery, and resistant infections highlight the critical role of anti-infectives in global healthcare. Continued investment in research and stewardship will be essential to address emerging resistance challenges.
Discuss your needs with our analyst
Please share your requirements with more details so our analyst can check if they can solve your problem(s)
