(Inter)nationalising the antibiotic research and development pipeline

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Pharmaceutical Research
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Antibiotic resistance poses a significant global health risk.
• Current public-private initiatives lack a commensurate international support structure for antibiotic research and development (R&D).
• The long-term nature of antibiotic solutions requires sustained, global commitment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically examine international efforts in antibiotic R&D.
• To propose a sustainable, two-pronged strategy for antibiotic R&D.
• To advocate for a global, publicly funded antibiotic R&D institute.

Main Methods:

• Critical examination of existing public-private initiatives.
• Proposal of a two-pronged R&D strategy: short-term incentives and a long-term global institute.
• Analysis of historical precedents in publicly funded research for drug development.

Main Results:

• Current international efforts are insufficient to address the risks of antibiotic resistance.
• A strengthened incentive model can maximize current R&D pipeline opportunities.
• A global, publicly funded institute can ensure equitable access to novel antibiotics.

Conclusions:

• A global, publicly funded antibiotic R&D institute, managed as an open science platform, is essential.
• This model maximizes scientific synergy, minimizes duplication, and ensures equitable access.
• International funding of publicly owned research can accelerate drug delivery and lower access barriers.