2026 Antimicrobial Resistance Benchmark

Insights

The 2026 AMR Benchmark Report evaluated the efforts of 25 pharmaceutical companies, comprised of seven large research-based companies, ten generic medicine manufacturers and eight small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Large research-based companies are assessed across R&D, Responsible Manufacturing and Appropriate Access & Stewardship. Generic medicine manufacturers are assessed in Responsible Manufacturing and Appropriate Access & Stewardship. SMEs are only assessed in R&D. 

GSK remains the leading large research-based company compared with peers, while Pfizer, the former joint leader in 2021, has been outpaced by Shionogi. Among generic medicine manufacturers, Aurobindo continues to lead, followed closely by Sandoz (newly assessed), Viatris and Teva, while Cipla and Abbott perform above the middle mark. All eight SMEs perform strongly in targeting ‘high’- and ‘priority’-pathogens with their pipeline projects, with six companies also developing projects that meet innovation criteria. 

Report Cards highlight next steps

Each Report Card includes a summary of the company’s strengths and weaknesses, drivers behind changes in its ranking, as well as tailored ‘Opportunities’ for the company. 

Glimmers of progress, but drug resistance is outpacing industry-wide efforts 

Overall, the Benchmark identifies hopeful spots of progress from companies still engaged in the antimicrobial space, but industry-wide efforts are being outpaced by drug resistance. The decrease in antimicrobial R&D is particularly concerning, especially for children. There are a handful of promising projects in late-stage development that target drug-resistant urinary tract, intra-abdominal and respiratory infections that could save many thousands of lives every year if they are made available in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, even the availability of existing antimicrobials is lacking across LMICs. Far more comprehensive actions are now needed across the board to transform the fight against AMR. 

Best Practices in the 2026 AMR Benchmark 

The 2026 AMR Benchmark has identified five ‘Best Practices’ across the three Research Areas. There is one in Research & Development, one in Responsible Manufacturing and three in Appropriate Access & Stewardship. Some of these focus on a single company, while others draw on examples from several companies. 

Company performance

Large Research-based Companies

GSK maintains lead, Shionogi makes biggest leap forward, but industry-wide performance declines 

While some companies have made progress in specific areas, overall performance has declined since 2021. GSK remains the leader, performing consistently well across all areas, leading in Research & Development (R&D) and Appropriate Access & Stewardship, and demonstrating strong performance in Responsible Manufacturing. Pfizer, the former joint leader in 2021, has been outpaced by Shionogi, which has demonstrated stronger performance across all areas. Performance across companies remains mixed, and no company is yet close to reaching its full potential, showing that there is still a long way to go in the fight against AMR. 

Generic Medicine Manufacturers

Aurobindo remains top performer, but overall loss of industry momentum since 2021 

Aurobindo remains the leader, followed closely by Sandoz (newly assessed), Viatris and Teva. Cipla and Abbott perform above the middle mark, demonstrating mixed strengths across the Research Areas assessed. Critically, Aurobindo, the highest-performing company, reaches just over 60% of the Benchmark's maximum possible score. This loss of momentum among generic companies signals missed opportunities to strengthen industry-wide efforts. 

Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises

AMR Benchmark’s new evaluation of SMEs reflects their central role in antimicrobial R&D 

All eight SMEs perform strongly in targeting ‘high’- and ‘priority’-pathogens with their pipeline projects – and six companies are also developing innovative projects. However, performance in access and stewardship planning is mixed. While some companies stand out for having robust plans in place, others lack both access and/or stewardship provisions. 

How companies were assessed in the 2026 AMR Benchmark 

The 2026 AMR Benchmark assesses 25 pharmaceutical companies active in the anti-infectives space, including eight SMEs newly included in recognition of their growing role in antimicrobial innovation and production. Companies are evaluated across 113 countries; since the 2021 Benchmark, 12 countries have been added – Algeria, Armenia, Ecuador, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Lebanon, the Marshall Islands, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Tonga and Venezuela – while Georgia has been removed. The Benchmark covers two product types: medicines and vaccines targeting bacterial and fungal infections, including on- and off-patent products as well as those in clinical development. In total, 43 priority pathogens are assessed, comprising 24 bacteria and 19 fungi. The analytical framework consists of 16 equally weighted indicators across three research areas: Research & Development, Responsible Manufacturing and Appropriate Access & Stewardship. 

Learn more about what the Benchmark measures

The Methodology for the 2026 AMR Benchmark

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