Innovate to secure the future: the future of modern medicine

As drug-resistant pathogens emerge and spread globally, antimicrobial (especially antibiotic) treatments are becoming less effective. As infections become more complex and costly to treat in humans and animals, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global challenge of real and increasing scale and complexity. If we do not act for the long term and with sustainability in mind, the annual deaths we see currently, numbering 700,000 globally, will rise each year to 10 million by 2050. To effectively contain and mitigate AMR, we need more evidence of the drivers and impacts of AMR on human, animal and environmental health, and the links between them. We also need to turn evidence into action and tailored, sustainable approaches for countries and communities, which put clinicians and patients at the centre. Excellent research is underway across the world into innovation (including new treatments, diagnostics and vaccines), infection prevention and behavioural interventions. In this article, we explore how, where and why research should be intensified, with increased collaboration and transparency, to strengthen global health security and secure the future of modern medicine for patients globally.