How Pooled Procurement Can Expand Access to Novel Antibacterial Therapeutics Globally

Antimicrobial resistance is among the most significant threats to modern medicine. Because of limited returns on investment, the development of novel antibacterial products has shifted toward smaller innovators. When these developers only have resources to seek regulatory approval in select high-income countries, they often cannot sell enough of their product to avoid bankruptcy because of the low number of patients with susceptible infections. A qualitative case study was conducted to assess the factors necessary for an existing global health pooled procurement strategy to expand its scope to include novel antibacterial therapeutics. Market access expansion would bring new products to patients where they are needed, while ensuring financial viability for innovators who struggle to retain financial solvency-ensuring that these critical medicines can be available for patients globally and the antimicrobial resistance pipeline can support the demand for new antibacterials for decades to come.