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Tackling antimicrobial resistance with investment and innovation

  • 03 October 2024
  • 3 min read

As the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) grows, the UK has emerged as a global leader. The NIHR’s Dr Effrossyni Gkrania-Klotsas outlines how we are expanding the UK’s investment into AMR to research, monitor and tackle it.


Antimicrobials, used to treat and prevent infection, are a cornerstone of modern medicine. AMR occurs when organisms become resistant to antimicrobials, resulting in infections becoming difficult or impossible to treat. 

With AMR unrestricted by borders, the global rise of AMR poses a significant threat. A 2016 UK government review estimated that AMR could cause up to 10 million deaths per year by 2050. Reports from the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System in 2020 suggest that resistance rates are already alarmingly high, with 1 in 5 patients with E. coli urinary tract infections showing reduced susceptibility to standard antibiotics. 

The challenge

The pipeline for new antimicrobials is almost dry. This is due to difficult underlying science, and the significant investment required, estimated at 10-15 years and £1 billion per novel antimicrobial. It’s widely believed that the low-hanging fruits in the antibiotic family were discovered in the 1980s.

The life sciences sector is reluctant to invest in new antimicrobials. The financial incentive is minimal compared to therapeutics for cancer or cardiovascular diseases. Developing new antimicrobials also leads to a paradox: the more antimicrobials prescribed, the more bacteria become resistant. Thus, companies are being asked to invest in developing drugs whose use will be limited. 

However, new antimicrobials could become crucial front-line treatments due to existing drug resistance, as will likely be the case for a new gonorrhoea treatment. In such cases, the commercial market will likely be big from day one, presenting an opportunity to turn the tide against AMR and become a global leader in the infectious diseases space. 

Breaking the resistance

The UK government has positioned itself as a leader in tackling the spread of AMR through establishing 5-year action plans and a 20-year vision. 

The initial action plan for AMR (2019-2024) achieved significant progress, including: reducing the use of antibiotics in food-producing animals, the development of improved surveillance systems, and piloting a new NHS payment scheme for antibiotics. 

In May 2024, the UK government released a new 5-year action plan, focusing on:

  1. Reducing exposure to antimicrobials:  Expanding infection prevention and control, public education and engagement, and enhanced AMR surveillance.
  2. Optimising the use of antimicrobials.
  3. Investing in innovation, supply and access: Developing new approaches to diagnose and treat disease, and addressing health inequalities to understand where AMR burdens are highest. 
  4. Being a good global partner

Recent UK government investments into AMR include £210 million in 2023 and £85 million in 2024 into global AMR surveillance through the Fleming Fund, a UK aid programme supporting 25 countries across Africa and Asia. These are the largest ever global surveillance investments into AMR, showcasing the UK as a global leader. 

Leading the innovation

The NIHR is a key player in the UK’s strategy to develop new antimicrobial treatments and reduce AMR-related illness. Our role is to make sure companies who choose to join the global fight against AMR are supported from preclinical research to early adoption.

We provide free support to navigate and collaborate with the UK’s AMR health and care ecosystem, including regulators, government-funded organisations and healthtech clusters. 

£88 million

amount invested in AMR research by the NIHR

NIHR funding for AMR research has seen a year-on-year increase in recent years. During delivery of the first National Action Plan (from 2019 to 2024), NIHR programme funding for AMR research totalled £88 million.

Initiatives in action 

The third theme of the 5-year action plan: investing into innovation, supply and access, relies on the life sciences sector to drive new developments. 

Initiatives include:

  • NICE and NHS England: Piloted reimbursement models that pay companies based on their value to the NHS rather than on usage.
  • UK Research and Innovation: Funds networks dedicated to accelerating AMR research.
  • Medicines Discovery Catapult: Acts as a neutral partner to support AMR drug discovery without complex IP negotiations.
  • Wellcome Trust: Collaborates with the private sector and philanthropic partners to develop the AMR Action Fund, addressing funding and technical barriers.

How can we support you?

To combat the impending AMR crisis, companies need to step up. The NIHR is committed to supporting companies throughout their research journey, ensuring they are fully equipped to join the global fight against AMR. Get in touch today for tailored support.

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