Innovating and promoting R&D addressing priority needs in antimicrobial resistanceAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to be one of the major global challenges of our times, representing an ever-increasing threat to human, animal, and environmental health, and an ever-present and growing socio-economic burden.Recent work has shown that AMR is a leading cause of death worldwide, directly attributable to an estimated 1.27 million deaths in 2019, a figure that is similar to the global death toll of HIV and malaria combined. Although AMR is a complex and dynamic multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral challenge that transcends geographical boundaries, the burden of its impact is felt disproportionately in low and middle-income countries with reported rates of death attributable to resistance highest in the Sub-Saharan region of Africa.
Given the urgency of the situation, there is a need for coordinated efforts in AMR across the value chain from research and development (R&D) efforts to the incentives being implemented globally that aim to improve the functioning of markets responsible for the development and distribution of priority health technologies for addressing AMR. Realising the critical nature of AMR has invigorated international and national efforts at the community, organisational and governmental level to fund R&D in the AMR field, especially over the last decade. Investments in R&D are crucial for developing solutions in terms of effective interventions and products resulting in the prevention, containment or reduction of AMR. However, the translation of this funding into outcomes and benefits for those with the highest priority needs remains challenging.
The Global AMR R&D Hub aims to further improve the coordination of international efforts and initiatives to tackle AMR while further increasing investments into R&D for AMR. In order to promote the development of health technologies and strategies addressing AMR, resources need to be employed even more effectively than at present.
This session aims to gain insight into the country-specific, economic, social and environmental factors facing AMR-related R&D within Africa and Europe, and the translation of investments into tools, products and policies that could meaningfully impact AMR.
We explore development and access to priority antimicrobials gaining a wide variety of perspectives from researchers, clinicians, policymakers and other key opinion leaders, sharing lessons learned and exploring the potential for synergies for translating AMR R&D into impact.
Moderation/Chair: Representative of the Global AMR R&D Hub