Report highlights spots of progress in antibiotic development

The 2026 AMR Benchmark Report from the Access to Medicine Foundation notes recent FDA approvals of two oral antibiotics for gonorrhea and identifies seven approved or late-stage products, while finding the overall antibiotic pipeline has contracted since 2021.

A new assessment from the Access to Medicine Foundation describes modest advances in antibiotic development amid persistent difficulties. The 2026 AMR Benchmark Report highlights recent FDA approvals of two oral antibiotics, zoliflodacin and gepotidacin, for uncomplicated gonorrhea and notes several other approved or late-stage candidates. The report evaluates 25 large, small, and generic companies and finds the overall pipeline of new antibiotics has shrunk since the prior report. It also raises concerns about access in low- and middle-income countries and a lack of child-friendly formulations. Key findings: - The report highlights seven approved or late-stage antibiotic products, including zoliflodacin and gepotidacin for uncomplicated gonorrhea. - Pipeline candidates from large research-based companies fell by 35% since 2021, from 92 to 60. - Much of current antibiotic R&D is concentrated in three companies: GSK (30 products), Pfizer (8), and Shionogi (8). - Four of the seven highlighted new antibiotics originated with small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). - Among developers assessed, only Innoviva and Ostuka have detailed plans addressing availability, affordability, and supply in low- and middle-income countries. - Of 35 projects assessed, only five are designed for children under five, and none of the companies have registered child-friendly versions in 17 sub-Saharan African countries. Summary: The report presents recent approvals and late-stage candidates as important but warns that industry-wide efforts are being outpaced by drug resistance and a shrinking pipeline. It highlights gaps in access planning for low- and middle-income countries and a shortage of pediatric formulations, and it calls for stronger policy measures to support sustainable antibiotic development. Undetermined at this time.