The 2026 Antimicrobial Resistance Benchmark, published on 10 March by the Access to Medicine Foundation, warns that large research-based pharmaceutical companies have fewer antibiotic candidates than before. The report finds pipeline numbers have shrunk by 35% since 2021 and highlights a shortage of child-friendly antibiotics: only 14% of medicines under development target children under five.
The Benchmark examined 25 companies and reports seven drugs are in late-stage development for infections that resist current antibiotics, including gonorrhea, urinary tract infections and drug-resistant tuberculosis. UK-based GSK is involved in three late-stage drugs, including the UTI antibiotic gepotidacin; other developers include Venatorx and Innoviva.
All companies say they plan registration and early-access programmes and will let trial patients keep medicines after studies end. However, the Foundation finds that only two of the seven upcoming antimicrobials—from Innoviva and Otsuka—are expected to be affordable in low- and middle-income countries.
Difficult words
- benchmark — a report that compares and measures progress
- antimicrobial — a drug that kills or stops infection microbesantimicrobials
- pipeline — the sequence of new drugs in development
- candidate — a drug being tested for future usecandidates
- shortage — a lack or not enough of something needed
- late-stage — in the final phase before approval or use
- affordable — priced so people in many countries can buy
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think there are fewer antibiotic candidates now compared with 2021? Give one or two reasons.
- How would a shortage of child-friendly antibiotics affect families with young children in your country?
- What could companies or governments do to make new antibiotics more affordable in low- and middle-income countries?
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