Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most important subjects of the 21st century. With the potential to cause nearly $100 trillion in damage to the world health and economy, the issue of infections untreatable by modern antibiotics is one that leaves many concerned and looking for answers.
What’s even more concerning is the scarce, almost empty antibiotic pipeline. Between 1935 and 1968, there were over 15 new classes of antibiotics developed, since 2000, there have only been 3. We all know why this is the case: antibiotic development is not only risky, it also does not have a viable ROI.
In response, the US government provided the GAIN Act which provide waived fees and market exclusivity. Federal funding awarded through NIAID and BARDA are also available to alleviate the high cost of development, making antibiotic development lucrative and attractive to pharma and biotech.
Private funding agencies such as Wellcome Trust, IMI and ARLG have also come up with plans to provide relief.
But are these enough?
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