Antibiotic resistance is one of the most pressing health challenges today, with millions of lives at risk due to drug-resistant infections. Despite recent breakthroughs in antimicrobial research, the global fight against antibiotic resistance remains underfunded and inadequate. As the world continues to battle antimicrobial resistance (AMR), what are the next steps we need to take?
Promising Advances in Antimicrobial Research
In early 2024, researchers made significant strides in the fight against AMR. A groundbreaking study published in Nature reported the discovery of a novel antibiotic with a unique mechanism of action against the deadly pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii), a microorganism that thrives in hospital environments and is resistant to most treatments. This pathogen is responsible for a large number of hospital-acquired infections and is classified by the World Health Organization as a “priority 1: critical” threat.
Although these early-stage findings will take years to develop into treatments for patients, the breakthrough has captured global attention. In 2019, nearly 5 million deaths were attributed to drug-resistant infections, which outnumbered deaths from HIV/AIDS or malaria. In the United States alone, almost 3 million people were infected with drug-resistant pathogens, resulting in over 35,000 deaths.
The Challenges in Combating AMR
Despite the severe toll AMR takes on global health, current efforts to address the issue are insufficient in key areas:
- Sustaining Investment in New Therapies
Developing novel antibiotics is a costly endeavor. In fact, new antimicrobial drugs require significant investments, but they offer limited returns due to their short-term usage. This creates a financial mismatch that deters investment. The economic outlook for antimicrobial development is bleak, with only a fraction of venture capital funding allocated to AMR compared to other disease areas like cancer. In the last 35 years, only one new antibiotic has targeted a novel molecular pathway.
- Optimizing the Use of Existing Antibiotics
Proper stewardship of current antibiotics is essential. Research by the CDC and Pew Charitable Trusts revealed that a significant portion of antibiotics prescribed in hospitals, particularly for conditions like pneumonia and urinary tract infections, were not necessary or inappropriate. Improving antibiotic usage is critical to slow the progression of AMR.
- Global Coordination for AMR Action
Developing effective global policies to support the development and stewardship of antibiotics is a complex challenge. Initiatives such as the PASTEUR Act in the U.S. aim to create market incentives for the development of antibiotics that are essential but may be used sparingly. Similar models have been explored in the U.K. and other countries.
The Need for a New Economic Model
The financial incentives currently driving antimicrobial development are not enough to sustain long-term solutions. Proposals like the PASTEUR Act, which introduces a subscription model where the government guarantees funding for antibiotics even if they are used infrequently, could reshape the economic landscape for AMR drug development. Under this model, new antibiotics would be funded up front, with contracts ranging from $750 million to $3 billion, based on clinical need and innovation.
This type of model could incentivize smaller biotech companies, which are often at the forefront of new drug discovery, to focus on developing novel antibiotics. It could also foster global collaboration to tackle this urgent public health issue.
Strengthening the AMR Workforce
Another significant challenge in the fight against AMR is the shortage of healthcare professionals trained in infectious diseases. The number of infectious disease specialists has been declining, with fewer medical graduates choosing this field. This shortage has been exacerbated by the rising costs of medical education, which often push students toward higher-paying specialties.
Efforts to encourage more medical students to enter the infectious disease field, along with expanding training programs, are crucial to building the workforce needed to combat AMR. Organizations such as the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) are advocating for increased investment in this area to address the growing threat of AMR.
The Growing Threat of Fungal Infections
Fungal infections are another emerging concern within the AMR landscape. Candida auris, a drug-resistant fungal infection, has rapidly spread in hospitals across the U.S., highlighting the urgent need for better surveillance and treatment options. This underscores the broader issue of AMR, where resistance extends beyond bacteria to include viruses and fungi.
Acting Against AMR
The threat of AMR continues to undermine progress in modern medicine, but there are steps we can take to address it. Public-private partnerships, government-backed financial incentives, and investment in training healthcare professionals are all crucial in the battle against AMR.
At BioBoston Consulting, we are committed to advancing the fight against AMR. Our team will explore novel antimicrobials to treat resistant pathogens. Our experts are also developing adjunctive therapies, such as bacteriophage and antibody treatments, to enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics in combating life-threatening infections.
Get Involved and Join the Fight Against AMR
BioBoston Consulting is at the forefront of the battle against antibiotic resistance. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your organization contribute to this critical effort. Together, we can make a lasting impact in the fight against AMR.