Report

Global pneumonia therapeutics market is projected to witness a CAGR of 8.03% during the forecast period 2024-2031, growing from USD 2.69 billion in 2023 to USD 4.99 billion in 2031. The market is growing with the high disease burden of pneumonia and the rising prevalence of hospital-acquired pneumonia, improved medication regimens, and increasing research and developments in pneumonia therapeutics, coupled with heightened awareness about the disease and its treatment approaches, boosting the market growth during the forecast period.
Pneumonia is a respiratory infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, causing them to fill with fluid or pus. This condition can be triggered by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, leading to cough, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. It poses significant health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations. The market of pneumonia therapeutics is growing under the influence of a high number of hospital and ventilator-acquired pneumonia cases, along with a high number of vulnerable populations such as children being affected by the disease in developing countries. Developing awareness and efforts from stakeholders further contributes to market expansion. The regulatory framework working around this market fuels market growth. For instance, in May 2023, The US FDA approved Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics, Inc.'s Xacduro (sulbactam for injection and durlobactam for injection) as a new treatment for hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia (HABP) and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (VABP). This medication is intended for patients aged 18 and older and is effective against susceptible strains of bacteria known as Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus complex.
High Disease Burden of Pneumonia and its Severity to Boost Market Demand
The rising incidence of pneumonia worldwide, particularly among the aged and children, further drives the market. Another major factor driving demand within the market is the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pneumonia-causing bacteria. It urges pharmaceutical companies to invest more resources into R&D for new antibiotics and vaccines to combat resistance challenges. Increasing Community-acquired Pneumonia (CAP) is again a reason to improve research for new treatment drugs, as it is a common type and continues to affect various sections of populations worldwide. Hence, with high prevalence and severity rates, pneumonia is an influential factor in the growth of the pneumonia therapeutics market. It is a dynamic landscape characterized by the increasing demand for new treatments due to rising cases, antibiotic-resistant challenges, and supportive government initiatives toward better public health outcomes.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) data, Pneumonia is the leading infectious disease that claims the lives of children, causing over 700,000 deaths each year among those under five, which equates to around 2,000 children every day. This figure includes approximately 190,000 newborns. Almost all these deaths are preventable. Globally, there are more than 1,400 cases of pneumonia for every 100,000 children, translating to 1 case for every 71 children each year. The highest incidence rates occur in South Asia, with 2,500 cases per 100,000 children, and in West and Central Africa, 1,620 cases per 100,000 children.
Rising R&D in Pneumonia Therapeutics to Drive Market Growth
More R&D investments made new antibiotics, antivirals, and vaccines specific for the treatment of pneumonia. The pharmaceutical industry has placed tremendous focus on treatments that treat community-acquired and hospital-acquired pneumonia. There is a growing number of antibiotic-resistant pneumonia-causing bacteria, therefore, new mechanisms of treatment must be developed. Research and development activities are increasingly moving towards discovering newer antibiotics to combat resistance mechanisms. This is an important reason, as ineffective treatment results in higher healthcare costs and longer hospital stays, which can strain the whole healthcare system. Continuous efforts are being made in these areas to identify alternative therapies and improve existing treatment protocols. R&D is not limited to therapeutics and advanced diagnostic technologies. Advances in molecular diagnostics and point-of-care testing innovations have improved the accuracy and speed of diagnosis for pneumonia, thus providing timely, appropriate treatment interventions. A new study being conducted at Monash University, Australia (July 2024) aims to enhance pneumonia treatment by investigating the role of a specific protein in the immune response. Researchers are focusing on how this protein influences the body's ability to fight off pneumonia, which is a leading cause of hospitalization and death. The study hopes to lead to improved therapies and outcomes for patients suffering from this serious respiratory condition, potentially reducing the burden on healthcare systems.
Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (HAP) Segment to Dominate Market Share
Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) dominates the pneumonia treatment market for several reasons, primarily linked to its prevalence, complexity, and challenges in clinical settings. HAP is one of the most common nosocomial infections, significantly contributing to morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. It occurs in patients who have been hospitalized for at least 48 to 72 hours and is often associated with severe underlying health conditions. The increasing number of patients requiring hospitalization, particularly the elderly and immuno-compromised individuals, has led to a rise in HAP cases, thereby driving demand for effective treatments and therapies. The rising incidence of HAP has spurred significant R&D initiatives to develop new drugs targeting this type of pneumonia. Pharmaceutical companies are actively working on innovative therapies, including monoclonal antibodies and novel antibiotic formulations, which are essential for addressing the challenges posed by resistant bacteria.
According to Fishman's Pulmonary Disease and Disorders, published in December 2023, HAP (Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia) and VAP (Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia) account for about 28% of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and are the leading causes of nosocomial infections. Epidemiological data estimates the overall prevalence of nosocomial pneumonia in hospitalized patients to be 0.89%, with a significantly higher incidence among those in the intensive care unit (ICU).
North America to Dominate the Pneumonia Therapeutics Market Share
North America leads the market for pneumonia drugs, which is due to the aggregation of several conditions that increase the overall strength of its medical system and research power and, eventually, overall market dynamism. North America, and more broadly, the United States, has the most developed medical infrastructure globally at the best level possible of health systems. Thus, this will aid in fully available diagnosis and treatment systems that allow a disease such as pneumonia to be diagnosed earlier or even taken care of quite effectively. The region has well-equipped hospitals for severe patients. This is important because, among susceptible populations, the rate of pneumonia is high. A strong regulatory environment makes it possible to carry out clinical trials and to accept new therapeutic agents in North America. Such an environment supports the pharmaceutical industry, which rushes to develop new drugs for pneumonia, including the problem of multi-drug resistant strains. In this manner, the proactive behavior of the FDA makes new drugs that have emerged in the market effective. For instance, in April 2024, Lupin Limited announced the launch of the first generic version of Oracea (Doxycycline Capsules, 40 mg) in the United States. This launch follows the approval from the USFDA, which indicates the treatment of inflammatory lesions (papules and pustules) associated with rosacea in adult patients. As a broad-spectrum antibiotic belonging to the tetracycline class, it is effective in treating infections caused by bacteria and certain parasites.
Future Market Scenario (2024 � 2031F)
The treatment approach discussed in the article pre-published in the Journal of Herbal Medicine emphasizes innovative therapeutic strategies for pneumonia, such as cinnamon-clove steam and physiotherapy, particularly focusing on targeted therapies and personalized medicine. This shift is likely to enhance the efficacy of treatments, reducing hospitalization rates and improving patient outcomes. As a result, the pneumonia therapeutics market may see increased investment in research and development of new drugs and technologies. Furthermore, the integration of biomarker-driven approaches could lead to more precise treatments, attracting pharmaceutical companies to explore niche markets. Overall, these advancements are expected to foster a competitive landscape, driving growth and innovation in the pneumonia therapeutics sector and ultimately benefiting patients and healthcare systems alike.
Key Players Landscape and Outlook
The market for pneumonia therapeutics is catered mainly by pharmaceutical companies producing generic and branded drugs and vaccines. The market share of major pharmaceutical giants is quite high owing to their widespread brand trust and market access. Recent market activities include strategic product launches, innovations, regulatory approvals, and the acquisition of firms involved in drug development targeting pneumonia.
In February 2024, AstraZeneca plc completed its acquisition of Icosavax, Inc., a biopharmaceutical firm specializing in innovative vaccines, for approximately USD 1.1 billion. This acquisition enhances AstraZeneca's capabilities in developing vaccines targeting respiratory infections, particularly pneumonia caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV). The lead candidate, IVX-A12, is a Phase III-ready vaccine designed to address severe respiratory infections in older adults at higher risk for pneumonia-related complications.