Antimicrobial resistance is associated with more than a million deaths every year, however the research and development pipeline for new antibiotics is sparse, with lengthy and costly development and little innovation.
The World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with the Global AMR Research and Development (R&D) Hub , has released a new report for G7 Finance and Health Ministers detailing progress on incentivizing the development of new antibacterial treatments. It highlights the urgent need for innovative strategies to enhance research and preserve access to essential antibiotics.
Since 2017, public and philanthropic investments in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) R&D have reached US$ 13.75 billion annually, yet experts indicate that an additional US$ 250 million to 400 million per year is required to sustain antibiotic development.
The report follows commitments made in 2021 , 2022 and 2023 by G7 Finance and Health Ministers to address antibiotic market failure, create economic conditions to preserve the effectiveness of essential existing antibiotics and ensure their access, strengthen AMR R&D and bring novel antibacterial medicines to market that address public health needs.
Following their October 2024 meeting, the G7 Health Ministers committed within their communiqué to support funding for push incentives, including contributing to existing global pooled efforts to accelerate R&D of novel antimicrobials, vaccines and diagnostics and 20 alternative therapeutics; continue to expedite the urgent implementation of effective pull incentives; support the work of the Global AMR R&D Hub facilitating evidence-based decision making in AMR R&D; and support the work of SECURE – an initiative established by WHO and the Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership (GARDP) to improve access to new and existing antibiotics.
AMR is one of the most urgent global health threats and development challenges, killing over a million people a year. New projections associate AMR to 8.2 million deaths annually by 2050. AMR is also a threat to the global economy, impacting international trade, heath care costs and productivity.
A study from the Quadripartite and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) show that globally, AMR could result in additional health care expenditures reaching US$ 412 billion annually, as well as workforce participation and productivity losses of US$ 443 billion, if insufficient action is taken. But this study also shows that implementing critical AMR interventions is a "best buy", with US$ 7 to 13 expected in return for every US$ 1 of investment.
In addition to these alarming figures, the pipeline for new antibiotics is inadequate, global equitable access remains strained, and the antibiotic market is failing. According to WHO's annual review of antibacterial agents in clinical and preclinical development , there are too few antibacterials in the pipeline. The situation is unlikely to improve soon, with the antibiotic pipeline highly vulnerable, due to factors such as lengthy R&D timelines and the likelihood of failure. There is also not enough innovation to address the most critical threats.
Moving forward, it will be crucial to keep AMR embedded in global discussions on pandemic preparedness, align financing with public health needs and prioritize access to essential antibiotics for all. The report calls on G7 leaders to strengthen commitments on innovative financing mechanisms, such as pull incentives – policies that reward successful R&D programs to incentivize bringing new products to market. It also calls for improved access to essential antibiotics, support of stewardship, the generation of data on local AMR trends, and support for the work of SECURE.
Despite the progress made, the translation of commitments into action should be accelerated and coordinated to ensure impact. Finance and Health Ministers are urged to accelerate action and accountability, align and enhance financing mechanisms for AMR R&D to reward innovation and to prioritize equity and global access.
Building on the political declaration approved by global leaders at the second High-Level Meeting on AMR, held during the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and in preparation for the fourth Ministerial Meeting on AMR in November 2024, the G7 is poised to translate commitments into actionable results, to ensure a safer and more resilient global health future.
The Global AMR R&D Hub is a partnership of countries, non-governmental donor organizations and intergovernmental organizations to address challenges and improve coordination and collaboration in global AMR R&D using a One Health approach.
