Estimating the Size of the U.S. Market for New Antibiotics with Activity against Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae

Abstract

New antibiotics with activity against carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) improve outcomes of CRE-infected patients. However, companies developing these drugs have faced financial difficulties. Sales of ceftazidime-avibactam, meropenem-vaborbactam, and plazomicin in the United States totaled $101 million from February 2018 to January 2019. We estimate that the current annual U.S. market for new anti-CRE antibiotics is $289 million (range, $169 to $439 million). ABSTRACT New antibiotics with activity against carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) improve outcomes of CRE-infected patients. However, companies developing these drugs have faced financial difficulties. Sales of ceftazidime-avibactam, meropenem-vaborbactam, and plazomicin in the United States totaled $101 million from February 2018 to January 2019. We estimate that the current annual U.S. market for new anti-CRE antibiotics is $289 million (range, $169 to $439 million). Without new antibiotic development models and/or reimbursement reform, the majority of anti-CRE drugs will be commercially inviable.