To fully appreciate the Bacteriophage Market's resurgence, one must acknowledge its long and continuous history in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. While phage therapy was largely abandoned in the West after the advent of broad-spectrum antibiotics in the 1940s, it remained a mainstream medical practice in countries like Georgia, Russia, and Poland. This enduring legacy provides critical real-world experience and a wealth of biological resources for the modern market.

The Eliava Institute: A Global Repository

The George Eliava Institute of Bacteriophages, Microbiology and Virology in Tbilisi, Georgia, stands as the world's most significant historical and operational center for phage therapy. Founded over a century ago, the Institute holds one of the largest and most valuable collections of bacterial strains and bacteriophages globally. The continuous clinical practice in this region has generated extensive observational data and refined practical application techniques. This experience is invaluable to Western firms now developing standardized therapies, as it offers a living laboratory of phage-host interactions and long-term patient outcomes.

Two-Track Regulatory System

This historical divergence has created a two-track regulatory system. Countries in Eastern Europe often treat phages as magistral preparations or standard therapeutics under unique national guidelines, facilitating their rapid use. In contrast, Western regulatory bodies demand full, modern scientific validation through randomized controlled trials. However, the success stories emerging from compassionate use cases (many facilitated by the knowledge transfer from Eastern institutions) are helping to change the narrative. The legacy of these Eastern European centers, now often collaborating with Western biotech firms, is a crucial asset driving the commercialization and acceptance of phages as a viable, globally relevant antimicrobial solution. To understand the foundational work that underpins the current market, review the historical context detailed in the Bacteriophage Market Report.