Demand for bacteriophage therapy is increasing significantly amid growing challenges of antibiotic resistance. According to Coherent Market Insights, the global bacteriophage therapy industry value is set to increase at 3.7% CAGR, reaching US$ 1651.8 million by 2030.
Armata Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Phagelux, Inc., Adaptive Phage Therapeutics, Eliava Biopreparations Ltd., and Locus Biosciences, Inc. are few leading industry players. Top companies are investing rigorously in phage research.
Leading bacteriophage therapy companies are constantly developing customized phage cocktails for specific bacterial infections. They are also partnering and collaborating with other pharmaceutical companies for co-development and commercialization.
Industry players are also collaborating with research institutions for clinical trials. They are conducting rigorous clinical trials to secure regulatory approval from FDA and other regulatory agencies.
In March 2024, Armata Pharmaceuticals. Inc. announced US$ 35 million secured credit agreement with Innoviva. The new financing transaction will be used to advance Armata’s lead phage-based therapeutic candidates.
Since its foundation, Armata Pharmaceuticals strived to develop pathogen-specific bacteriophage therapeutics for antibiotic resistance and complex bacterial infections. The new investment will help the company to advance in its lead therapeutic phage candidates like AP-SA02 and AP-PA02.
In January 2024, Locus Biosciences, Inc. announced US$ 23.9 million in capital from BARDA to support the first phase 2 trial of CRISPR-engineered bacteriophage therapy. The funding will be used by the company in ELIMINATE trial to evaluate LBP-EC01 for curing urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by drug-resistant E. coli.
Key Factors Propelling Bacteriophage Therapy Industry Growth
The future of bacteriophage therapy industry looks promising. This is due to rising prevalence of chronic bacterial infections and growing demand for targeted therapies.
Bacteriophage therapy is gradually gaining popularity for treating chronic bacterial infections. It has the potential to address the rising challenges of antibiotic resistance. Thus, increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant infections will play a key role in propelling bacteriophage therapy demand.
Bacteriophage therapy also referred to as phage therapy, uses viruses to specifically target and kill harmful bacteria. It is becoming an ideal option for treating bacterial infections that are resistant to antibiotics.
Rising popularity of phage therapy to combat bacterial infections is expected to boost growth of the bacteriophage therapy industry during the forecast period. Bacteriophages can be used to treat multidrug-resistant bacteria. They have minimal impact on non-target bacteria or body tissues.
Advancements in genetic engineering are revolutionizing the phage therapy industry. Players like Locus Biosciences are using CRISPR-Cas3 to develop engineered phages.
Expanding usage of bacteriophages in agriculture and veterinary medicine is another key growth-shaping factor. They are being used to prevent bacterial infections in crops and reduce antibiotic usage in livestock.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already approved the use of certain phages on crops to reduce crop diseases. For instance, Bacterial blight on soybeans was successfully treated using phages.
The US FDA has also approved phage cocktails in food processing industries. Phage formulations are accepted as antibacterial food additives for ready-to-eat meat and poultry products.
Regional Insights
North America is set to retain its dominance in the global bacteriophage therapy industry through 2030. This is due to rising usage of phage-based treatments for treating bacterial infection and increasing investments in phage research.
