Herceptin Fab (antibody)
Herceptin Fab (antibody) © PyMol

New projects to combat antimicrobial resistance

Through overuse and misuse, many micro-organisms have become resistant to antimicrobials, including antibiotics.  Growing ‘antimicrobial resistance’ (AMR) is estimated to cause some 25,000 deaths each year and over €1.5bn in healthcare expenses and productivity losses in Europe alone.

Few products used to combat resistant infections are in the late stage of development. According to the European Commission, a co-ordinated research effort is required to bring new effective antibiotics or alternative treatments to patients and to re-engage industry to carry out research and develop new products. Research and innovation are also necessary to inform policy making on AMR and to develop new diagnostic tools, such as tests to identify the causes of infections. Research on vaccines and other preventive measures offer the prospect of blocking the spread of infections thereby reducing the need for antimicrobials, says the Commission.

Seven of the new projects aim to develop novel antibiotics, vaccines or alternative treatments for drug-resistant microbial infections. Other projects set out to identify better methods to use currently available antibiotics, study antibiotic resistance within the food chain, or utilise novel nanotechnology for the delivery of antimicrobial drugs. As well as doing much-needed research in this area, the projects will also boost the European economy by directly supporting the work of 44 innovative SMEs

During the last 16 years, the EU has invested some €800m in research and innovation to fight AMR, including the 15 new research projects announced today which the EU supports with more than €90m.

The rising awareness of the AMR threat is reflected in a six fold increase in the amount being invested, from €84m during the EU’s 1998-2002 research programme to €522m for 2007-2013.