Automated Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Market Analysis & Forecast: 2026-2033

Automated Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Market Size and Forecast: 2026 - 2033

The Automated Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Market is estimated to be valued at USD 14.87 Bn in 2026 and is expected to reach USD 41.76 Bn by 2033, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8% from 2026 to 2033.

Key Takeaways

• By Product Type, Consumable hold the largest market share of 56.6% in 2026 owing to the rising volume of testing and recurring consumable needs.
• By Detection Method, Colorimetric expected to hold largest market share of 53.3% in 2026 owing to its rapid, easy-to-interpret results.
• By Application, Antifungal acquired the prominent market share of 58.8% in 2026 owing to the rising incidence of fungal infections.
• By End User, Hospitals captures the largest market share of 34.4% in 2026 owing to its high burden of hospital-acquired and resistant infections.
• By Region, North America dominates the overall market with an estimated share of 41.1% in 2026 owing to the high adoption of innovative diagnostic technologies.

Market Overview

As antibiotic resistance spreads, doctors and nurses are looking for faster and more reliable ways to identify effective antimicrobial medications. This has led to an increase in the market for Automated Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST). Automatic AST systems are increasingly being used in hospitals, diagnostic labs, and research institutions to improve efficiency, reduce human error, and accelerate treatment decision-making. Acceptance is increasing due to continued technological advancements, easy integration with laboratory information systems, and the expansion of antimicrobial stewardship initiatives. This has made automated AST a valuable tool for diagnosing infectious illnesses nowadays.

Current Events and Its Impact on the Automated Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Market

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Segmental Insights

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Automated Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Market Insights, By Product Type - Consumable contribute the highest share of the market owing to its adoption of automated testing in hospitals & diagnostic labs

Consumable hold the largest market share of 56.6% in 2026. Consumables drive the Automated Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing market. Laboratories use them repeatedly in daily diagnostic tests. They need new reagents, panels, culture media, and antibiotic cartridges for each test, keeping demand steady. Rising testing for bacterial and fungal infections increases consumable use. Manufacturers develop advanced, ready-to-use consumables that improve accuracy and work seamlessly with automated systems. Laboratories adopt these standardized products to ensure reliable results, efficient operations, and compliance with clinical standards.

Automated Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Market Insights, By Detection Method - Colorimetric contribute the highest share of the market owing to its compatibility with automated reading

Colorimetric expected to hold largest market share of 53.3% in 2026. Colorimetric methods drive the Automated Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing market. They allow laboratories to quickly detect microbial growth through visible color changes. Laboratories interpret results faster and achieve quicker turnaround times with these techniques. Their low cost and simple operation suit high-throughput labs and resource-limited settings. Manufacturers integrate colorimetric assays with automated readers and digital tools. This improves consistency and scalability, boosting adoption of colorimetric AST in routine diagnostics and antimicrobial stewardship.

Automated Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Market Insights, By Application - Antifungal contribute the highest share of the market owing to its demand for personalized antifungal therapy

Antifungal acquired the prominent market share of 58.8% in 2026. The automated antimicrobial susceptibility testing market is driven by the antifungal segment because healthcare professionals are seeing more and more fungal infections, especially in patients with weak immune systems. As antifungal resistance rises, doctors need accurate and up-to-date susceptibility data to help them choose the best treatment. Automated systems are used by hospitals and labs to make testing faster, more accurate, and less likely to make mistakes. Developers improve specialized antifungal panels and add them to lab workflows so that tests can be done quickly. This makes physicians and researchers rely on automated AST for better patient outcomes and tailored antifungal therapy.

Automated Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Market Insights, By End User - Hospitals contribute the highest share of the market owing to its increasing hospital admissions for infectious diseases

Hospitals capture the largest market share of 34.4% in 2026. Hospitals propel the Automated Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing market by implementing faster and more reliable diagnostic solutions to manage infections and address antimicrobial resistance. They use automated AST systems to process large sample volumes, minimize manual errors, and enable timely treatment decisions. By integrating these systems with hospital information networks and antimicrobial stewardship programs, hospitals optimize workflow efficiency and support clinical decision-making. As healthcare facilities focus on patient safety and operational performance, they increasingly depend on automated AST platforms to enhance diagnostic accuracy and streamline laboratory processes. For instance, COPAN Diagnostics, Inc. has launched Radian™, a fully automated system for Kirby-Bauer susceptibility testing that handles plate seeding, antibiotic disc application, robotic incubation, imaging, zone interpretation, and result reporting through Expert software.

Regional Insights

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North America Automated Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Market Trends

North America dominates the overall market with an estimated share of 41.10% in 2026. North America drives the Automated Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing market through its advanced healthcare infrastructure and early adoption of innovative diagnostic technologies. Hospitals and laboratories actively implement automated AST systems to combat rising antimicrobial resistance and strengthen antimicrobial stewardship programs. They integrate these systems with digital health records and laboratory information networks to improve workflow efficiency and data accuracy. Key diagnostic companies, ongoing research, and public health initiatives further accelerate adoption, positioning North America at the forefront of expanding and modernizing automated antimicrobial susceptibility testing solutions. For instance, Beckman Coulter launched two automated systems to address rising workloads in microbiology and virology departments. The DxN VERIS Molecular Diagnostics system enables same-day viral load testing, while the MicroScan Microbiology Systems support rapid microorganism identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, helping clinicians quickly determine appropriate treatment pathways.

Asia Pacific Automated Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Market Trends

The Asia Pacific Automated Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing market is expanding as a consequence of laboratory improvements and healthcare modernization. Hospitals and clinics have implemented AST platforms to provide more precise and rapid results as a result of the growing awareness of infection rates and the increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance. The market is further bolstered by the expansion of healthcare infrastructure and the establishment of new clinical laboratories by governments and private investors. Regional and international diagnostic companies are actively introducing cost-effective, scalable AST solutions throughout the Asia Pacific region, thereby enhancing the quality and efficacy of infectious disease testing and increasing access.

United States Automated Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Market Trends

Hospitals and clinical laboratories drive the growth of the United States Automated Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing market by prioritizing rapid, accurate diagnostics to address antimicrobial resistance. Healthcare providers adopt automated AST systems to streamline workflows, minimize manual errors, and strengthen antimicrobial stewardship programs. They integrate these systems with electronic health records and laboratory information networks to improve data management and clinical decision-making. Leading diagnostic companies, ongoing technological innovation, and government initiatives promoting infection control further accelerate adoption, establishing the U.S. as a major market for advanced automated susceptibility testing solutions. For instance, a new benchtop automated reading and incubation system delivers accurate MIC results for antimicrobial susceptibility testing, enabling microbiology laboratories to help clinicians choose effective antibiotics for critically ill patients while supporting responsible antimicrobial stewardship.

India Automated Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Market Trends

The India Automated Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing market is increasing because hospitals and diagnostic labs are updating to meet the needs of the healthcare system as it grows. More and more healthcare practitioners are employing automated AST systems because antibiotic resistance is developing and bacterial and fungal infections are becoming more widespread. Private investors and governments develop more hospitals, labs, and modern diagnostic centers. Domestic and international diagnostic companies are actively creating cost-effective, scalable AST solutions that increase the accessibility, efficiency, and quality of infectious disease testing across India.

End-user Feedback and Unmet Needs in the Automated Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Market

• Demand for Faster Turnaround Times: Clinicians and laboratory staff consistently request AST systems that provide results more rapidly to guide timely treatment. Delays in current automated workflows can impact patient outcomes, particularly in critical infections. End-users seek technologies that combine automation with rapid phenotypic or molecular detection for faster decision-making.
• Improved Accuracy and Reliability: Laboratories highlight occasional discrepancies between automated AST results and traditional methods. Users want enhanced system precision, especially for challenging pathogens and antifungal susceptibility testing. Reliable reproducibility across different platforms and laboratories remains a priority to maintain clinical confidence and ensure consistent treatment guidance.
• Integration with Laboratory Information Systems (LIS): End-users emphasize the need for seamless integration between AST platforms and hospital LIS or electronic health records. Improved connectivity reduces manual data entry, minimizes errors, and supports workflow efficiency. Users seek platforms that automatically generate interpretable reports compatible with existing IT infrastructure.

Automated Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Market Trend

Rising Focus on Antimicrobial Resistance

Healthcare providers worldwide are increasingly prioritizing the fight against antimicrobial resistance, driving demand for rapid, reliable AST platforms. Automated systems help clinicians identify effective therapies more quickly, reduce empirical treatments, and support stewardship programs. This trend encourages hospitals and diagnostic laboratories to upgrade from manual methods to automated solutions that can handle larger sample volumes while delivering accurate susceptibility profiles, ultimately improving patient outcomes and minimizing the spread of resistant pathogens.

Integration with Digital Healthcare Systems

Automated AST systems are increasingly designed to integrate with electronic health records and laboratory information systems. This connectivity streamlines data management, reduces manual transcription errors, and facilitates real-time access to susceptibility results. Laboratories benefit from improved workflow efficiency, while clinicians gain actionable insights for faster treatment decisions. The integration trend also supports data analytics and surveillance initiatives, helping institutions track resistance patterns, optimize antimicrobial use, and enhance overall public health strategies.

Automated Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Market Opportunity

Development of Specialized Antifungal Panels

The increasing incidence of fungal infections and rising antifungal resistance create a market opportunity for specialized AST panels. Automated systems that provide rapid and reliable antifungal susceptibility results can support effective treatment strategies, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Manufacturers that develop comprehensive panels for diverse fungal species and integrate them with automated platforms can address unmet clinical needs, expand their product offerings, and strengthen adoption in hospitals, diagnostic labs, and research institutions.

Market Report Scope

Automated Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Market News

• In June 2024, A new benchtop automated reading and incubation system is now available in Europe, providing microbiology laboratories with accurate MIC results for antimicrobial susceptibility testing and enabling clinicians to select effective antibiotics while supporting antimicrobial stewardship

Analyst Opinion (Expert Opinion)

• Automated AST has unequivocally transitioned from a novel laboratory enhancement to an essential clinical instrument, driven largely by staggering operational performance gaps inherent in manual workflows. In multiple national surveys, over 95% of clinical microbiology laboratories now deploy automated AST systems for routine susceptibility testing, underscoring that manual methods are no longer tenable for high‑volume diagnostics.
• The clinical imperative for automation is not abstract: automated platforms such as bioMérieux’s VITEK® 2 and BD Phoenix™ can process 200‑400 isolates per day, compared with just 20–50 with traditional approaches, drastically elevating throughput and consistency.
• Yet significant implementation challenges persist. Independent evaluations reveal that automated systems may underestimate resistance for critical antibiotics—including cefotaxime and colistin—creating clinical risk when therapy decisions hinge exclusively on automated outputs without confirmatory methods. This highlights a development gap: manufacturers must prioritize rigorous performance validation across diverse resistance phenotypes rather than solely pushing shorter turnaround times.
• Moreover, adoption friction remains acute where reimbursement policies fail to align with clinical value. In mature markets, rapid phenotypic AST often reimburses at levels that barely offset per‑test consumables, forcing institutions to subsidize essential diagnostics out of operating budgets.
• Innovation is rising, notably with point‑of‑care and near‑patient AST solutions that deliver results in under an hour, transforming antimicrobial stewardship in decentralized settings. However, these advances require parallel investment in regulatory harmonization and clinician education to translate rapid data into actionable treatment pathways.

Market Segmentation

• By Product Type
  • Consumables
  • Instruments
• By Detection Method
  • Turbidimetric
  • Colorimetric
• By Application
  • Antibacterial
  • Tuberculosis
  • Sepsis
  • Antifungal
  • Anti-parasitic
  • Anti-viral
• By End User
  • Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies
  • Contract Research Organizations
  • Hospitals
  • Pathology/Diagnostic Laboratories
• By Regional Insights
  • North America
    • U.S.
    • Canada
  • Latin America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Mexico
    • Rest of Latin America
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • U.K.
    • Spain
    • France
    • Italy
    • Russia
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • Australia
    • South Korea
    • ASEAN
    • Rest of Asia Pacific
  • Middle East
    • GCC Countries
    • Israel
    • Rest of Middle East
  • Africa
    • South Africa
    • North Africa
    • Central Africa
• Key Players Insights
  • bioMérieux S.A.
  • HiMedia Laboratories
  • Alifax Holding S.p.A.
  • Creative Diagnostics
  • Resistell AG
  • Danaher Corporation
  • Becton
  • Dickinson and Company
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
  • Merck KGaA
  • Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.

Sources

Primary Research interviews

• Interviews with laboratory directors and clinical microbiologists from leading hospitals and diagnostic centers
• Discussions with infection control specialists and antimicrobial stewardship program coordinators
• Insights from hospital procurement and operations managers overseeing diagnostic equipment

Databases

• PubMed
• ClinicalTrials.gov
• WHO Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS)
• FDA database on approved diagnostic devices
• CDC National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)

Magazines

• Clinical Laboratory News
• Laboratory Equipment
• Infection Control Today

Journals

• Journal of Clinical Microbiology
• Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
• Frontiers in Microbiology
• Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease

Newspapers

• The New York Times – Health Section
• The Guardian – Health & Science
• The Times of India – Health Section

Associations

• American Society for Microbiology (ASM)
• Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)
• European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID)
• Indian Association of Medical Microbiologists (IAMM)

Public Domain sources

• World Health Organization (WHO) reports and publications
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports
• National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) resources
• Government health ministry publications from the U.S., India, Canada, and Europe

Proprietary Elements

• CMI Data Analytics Tool
• Proprietary CMI Existing Repository of information for last 8 years