These are the most deadly pathogens — so why aren’t drug companies targeting them?

The article discusses how pharmaceutical companies are neglecting the development of drugs to combat the growing global threat of AMR. The WHO has identified 15 families of pathogens to be prioritised in research, but financial disincentives and lack of profit discourage drug development in this area. Public-private partnerships and governmental support are seen as vital to addressing this urgent issue. Experts warn that without intervention, common infections may become untreatable, particularly in poorer nations. To which, Martijn explains: “In many poor countries there are no diagnostics available, and there is still widespread overuse of antibiotics — not only in humans, but also in animals.” 

Martijn tells POLITICO that there has been a small enhancement in the pipeline for new antimicrobial drugs, yet it is still insufficient, with merely a handful of treatments under development. He stresses the urgent need for a significantly larger number of options to address the escalating AMR crisis effectively. Additionally, he highlights the concern of “access and stewardship,” noting that pharma companies are failing to meet the needs of the most at-risk groups. 

Finally, in response to questions about how public sectors might address the shortfall, Martijn stated that although the initiatives from the public sector represent progress, they are "not sustainable" and can only provide a temporary solution for the gap created by pharmaceutical companies.