An overview of global public and philanthropic investments into antibacterial therapeutics (2017–23)

Antibacterial research and development (R&D) increasingly relies on public and philanthropic investments over private investments and on academia and small businesses over large pharmaceutical companies. To complement scientific reviews of the antibacterial pipeline, we examined global public and philanthropic funding for R&D of antibacterial therapeutics from 2017 to 2023 using data obtained from the Global AMR R&D Hub's Dynamic Dashboard. Projects were analysed considering funders and recipients, geographical location, R&D stage, mechanism of action, antibacterial class, clinical novelty, spectrum of activity, and alignment with the WHO bacterial priority pathogen list 2024. A total of US$2·51 billion was invested in antibacterial R&D by 130 funders, with a marked concentration among a small number of major sources. Funding peaked at $445 million in 2020 but declined by 18% to $363 million in 2023. Universities received the most awards, yet more than half of the total funding volume went to industry recipients. Investment broadly followed the WHO bacterial priority pathogens list, with Mycobacterium tuberculosis accounting for a fifth of the total. While the funding for clinical development remained stable, that for discovery and preclinical research declined. In this environment, public-private partnerships, such as Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator and the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership, are crucial for attracting, channelling, and targeting funding; however, these partnerships alone will be insufficient. Enhanced strategic alignment in funding priorities and continued public and private investment will be essential for ensuring the discovery and development of effective new antibacterials meeting priority public health needs.