Animal Health Segment Leading the Colistin Market by Indication, 2026–2034
According to our new research study on “Colistin Market Forecast to 2034 – Global Analysis – by Formulation, Indication, Distribution Channel, and Geography,” the colistin market size is expected to grow from US$ 337.00 million in 2025 to US$ 510.94 million by 2034, with a CAGR of 4.8% during 2026–2034. Major factors driving the colistin market growth include the increased multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections in human healthcare, sustained veterinary demand in livestock and poultry farming, and regulatory shifts and policies addressing antimicrobial resistance.
Colistin (polymyxin E) is a critical antibiotic produced primarily via microbial fermentation and used mainly in veterinary applications and, to a limited extent, in human medicine for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections. Some of the major colistin market trends include advancements in novel formulations and delivery systems, a rise in combination and synergistic therapies, and enhanced antimicrobial stewardship and regulatory frameworks.
Colistin Market, by Region, 2025 (%)
Colistin Market Growth, Share & Trends by 2034
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Colistin Market Size and Forecast (2021 - 2034), Global and Regional Share, Trend, and Growth Opportunity Analysis Report Coverage: By Formulation [Injectables (IV or IM), Oral, Topical Formulations, and Inhalation Solutions], Indication [Human Health (Bloodstream Infections (BSI) and Sepsis Lower, Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTI), Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), Central Nervous System Infections, Skin Infections, Cystic Fibrosis, Tracheobronchitis or VAP, Gastrointestinal Infections, and Bowel Decontamination) and Animal Health], Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacy, Retail Pharmacy, Online Channel, and Other Distribution Channels), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and South and Central America)
Colistin Market Growth, Share & Trends by 2034
Download Free SampleColistin Market Size and Forecast (2021 - 2034), Global and Regional Share, Trend, and Growth Opportunity Analysis Report Coverage: By Formulation [Injectables (IV or IM), Oral, Topical Formulations, and Inhalation Solutions], Indication [Human Health (Bloodstream Infections (BSI) and Sepsis Lower, Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTI), Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), Central Nervous System Infections, Skin Infections, Cystic Fibrosis, Tracheobronchitis or VAP, Gastrointestinal Infections, and Bowel Decontamination) and Animal Health], Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacy, Retail Pharmacy, Online Channel, and Other Distribution Channels), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and South and Central America)
Source: The Insight Partners Analysis
Colistin Market Analysis Based on Segmental Evaluation:
Based on indication, the colistin market is bifurcated into animal health and human health. In 2025, the animal health segment held a significant colistin market share. Colistin is used in veterinary applications such as poultry, swine, and cattle to manage Gram-negative infections. Even though there are regulations that limit use and sales have decreased in certain areas, the strong demand for colistin from emerging markets due to the intensive livestock farming and increasing demand for protein has continued to drive worldwide therapeutic veterinary use of colistin.
The scope of the colistin market report includes an assessment of the market performance in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South and Central America, and Middle East and Africa. In terms of revenue, North America dominated the colistin market share in 2025.
The demand for colistin is growing in North America largely because of the continuing difficulties posed by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacterial infections found in hospitals, with an increasing need for the use of last-resort antibiotics in human health and steadily regulated but specifically targeted usage for animal health. In the US, the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from their Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report, published in 2023, show that an estimated 13,110 cases of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) infections occurred in the US in 2022–2023, resulting in approximately 1,100 fatalities. Due to the MDR potential that is common to Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii, colistin is often used as a last resort for treating bloodstream infections (BSI), sepsis, lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI), and urinary tract infections (UTI) caused by these organisms. Based on a 5% increase in hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) caused by MDR Gram-negative organisms, as reported by the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) in 2024, the use of colistin injectables (IV/IM) in hospital pharmacies is expected to continue rising.
The CDC projected that by 2025, high resistance levels would result in increased use of colistin for the treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and cystic fibrosis. Recent product developments included the approval of sulbactam-durlobactam (Xacduro) by the FDA in 2024. It offers an alternative to colistin for use in cases of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter infections. Sulbactam-durlobactam is indicated to improve outcomes in patients with VAP and bloodstream infections (BSIs). Other examples supporting this conclusion can be found in CDC updates on their AMR Action Plan. These updates reported a 3% increase in colistin prescriptions for human health in 2024, highlighting the importance of stewardship in the use of inhalation solutions for tracheobronchitis.
The FDA’s Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) from 2023 to 2024 prohibited veterinarians from prescribing or dispensing colistin to animals except in established indications (e.g., gastrointestinal infections) and only if the colistin was obtained through retail pharmacies. Additionally, the AMR strategy established by HHS for 2025 supports the use of topical formulations for treating skin infections through online pharmacies. It offers guidance for treating central nervous system infections using bowel decontamination due to increasing prevalence rates of multidrug-resistant pathogens.
TZF Polfa S.A., Tecoland Corporation, Fujian Lifecome Biochemistry Limited, Zhejiang Shenghua Biok Chemical Company Limited, Xellia Pharmaceuticals ApS, Shandong LuKang Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Livzon Pharmaceutical Group Inc, Apeloa Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Norma Hellas S.A, and Hebei Shengxue Dacheng Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd are among the leading companies profiled in the colistin market report.
By formulation, the market is segmented into injectables (IV or IM), oral, topical formulations, and inhalation solutions. By indication, the colistin market is segmented into human health and animal health. Based on distribution channel, the market is classified into hospital pharmacy, retail pharmacy, online channel, and other distribution channels. In terms of geography, the market is divided into North America (the US, Canada, and Mexico), Europe (France, Germany, the UK, Spain, Italy, and the Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and the Rest of Asia Pacific), South and Central America (Brazil, Argentina, and the Rest of South and Central America), and Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, the UAE, South Africa, and the Rest of Middle East and Africa).
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