A new global report has warned that efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are falling behind the rapid rise of drug-resistant infections worldwide. According to the latest findings, the pipeline of antibiotics under development has declined sharply over the past five years, raising concerns about the global healthcare system’s ability to respond to increasingly resistant pathogens.

The report, released by the Access to Medicine Foundation, reveals that the number of antibiotic development projects by major pharmaceutical companies has dropped by 35 percent since 2021. In 2026, only 60 antimicrobial research projects are currently in development among large research-based pharmaceutical companies, compared with 92 projects five years ago.

Experts warn that this shrinking pipeline comes at a time when the need for new antibiotics is growing rapidly. Jayasree K. Iyer, CEO of the Access to Medicine Foundation, emphasized that the world is facing a critical moment in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

“The need for new antibiotics has never been greater,” Iyer said in the report. She also warned that without significant global action, antimicrobial resistance could lead to a major increase in deaths from preventable infections over the next two decades, particularly in low-income and vulnerable populations.

The report analyzed the research and development activities of 15 pharmaceutical companies, including seven large research-based firms and eight small and medium-sized enterprises. Major companies included GSK, Pfizer, Shionogi, MSD, and Otsuka.

Among these companies, GSK currently leads antimicrobial research efforts, with a portfolio of 30 projects, including preventive vaccines and antibacterial treatments. The Japanese pharmaceutical company Shionogi has moved into second place, overtaking Pfizer, which previously held the position in 2021.

Despite these efforts, the report concluded that no pharmaceutical company is yet operating at its full potential in addressing the AMR crisis.

Growing Global Health Threat

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve and no longer respond to medications designed to kill them. Although resistance naturally develops over time through genetic changes in pathogens, human activity—particularly the misuse and overuse of antibiotics—has dramatically accelerated the process.

According to the World Health Organization, one in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections worldwide is now resistant to standard antibiotic treatments.

The health impact is already severe. In the European Union alone, antimicrobial resistance causes more than 35,000 deaths every year. Global projections suggest that 39 million deaths could be directly linked to bacterial AMR between 2025 and 2050 if current trends continue.

Children Face Greater Risks

The report also highlights significant gaps in treatments designed for children. Despite their vulnerability to infections, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, only five antimicrobial drugs currently in development target pediatric use.

Just 13 percent of antimicrobial pipeline projects focus on children under the age of five, leading to long delays in pediatric approvals even for existing antibiotics. Since 2000, only 10 percent of newly introduced antibiotics have received pediatric labeling, limiting their availability for younger patients.

In many developing regions, access to essential antibiotics remains limited, further increasing risks for children suffering from treatable infections.

Promising Innovations but Limited Progress

While the overall pipeline has shrunk, researchers identified seven innovative antimicrobial projects currently in late-stage development that may help combat drug-resistant infections.

Three of these projects are being developed by large pharmaceutical companies—GSK, Otsuka, and Shionogi—while four are being led by smaller biotech firms, including BioVersys, F2G, Innoviva, and Venatorx.

However, experts caution that truly novel antibiotics capable of overcoming resistance remain rare. Without stronger global incentives, pharmaceutical companies may continue to deprioritize antibiotic research due to limited commercial returns.

The report concludes that global policy reform, increased funding, and improved regulatory frameworks are essential to accelerate antimicrobial innovation.

Until antibiotic discovery receives funding that matches the scale of the AMR threat, researchers warn that global responses will remain reactive rather than preventative—costing both lives and healthcare resources worldwide.

Source:
https://www.euronews.com/health/2026/antimicrobial-resistance-outpacing-industry-efforts-report-finds