Pharma pulls back as antimicrobial resistance threat grows

The article captures the current state of the AMR space and its shrinking research and development (R&D) pipeline, naming high development costs, uncertain returns and weak market incentives as factors discouraging pharmaceutical companies from investing antimicrobial projects.

It notes promising projects identified in the report, such as GSK’s gepotidacin, an oral antibiotic under development for uncomplicated urinary tract infections.

Jayasree K. Iyer, CEO of the Access to Medicine Foundation, is quoted: “The scale and speed of resistance are unprecedented. Without immediate action, many of the next generation of antibiotics may never reach the populations that need them most.”

The article also highlights the Benchmark’s new patient reach metric, noting that six out of ten generic medicine manufacturers now measure patient reach for most antibiotic and antifungal medicines.

Claudia Martínez, Director of Research at the Foundation is quoted: “This kind of monitoring is crucial. It highlights access gaps, identifies supply chain failures and supports stewardship programs to ensure correct use and slow the emergence of resistance.”