BIA welcomes Global AMR Action Fund to tackle antimicrobial resistance 

Steve Bates OBE, Chief Executive of the BIA said: “Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the key global challenges of our times. Despite being a global health (and BIA) policy focus for years, no market solution has yet delivered the incentives needed to make novel antibiotic development an attractive investment prospect.

“That is why the launch of the Global AMR fund today, to which UK small and medium sized companies seeking to develop new antibiotics can apply from the autumn, is set to be a game changer.  

“The $1billion (US) from the global pharmaceutical industry is designed to accelerate programmes in biotech companies to develop novel antibiotics.

“The UK biotech industry has great capacity to deliver the innovation needed. The fund launched today provides a great new opportunity for UK biotech entrepreneurs.

“But work is still needed on market-based AMR reforms - like pull incentives and changed reimbursement rules to revitalise the antibiotics markets and drive sustainable investment in antibiotic R+D. 

“That’s why the BIA looks forward to taking an active part in the broad alliance launched by this initiative encouraging governments to create a sustainable R+D environment.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. For more information please contact Shannon Quinney, Communications Executive on [email protected] or 07864 902930.

2. The new AMR Action Fund website has now launched and can be found here.

3.The BIA has put together an informative resource on antimicrobial resistance here.

About the BIA 

Established over 25 years ago at the infancy of biotechnology, the BioIndustry Association (BIA) is the trade association for innovative life sciences in the UK. Our goal is to secure the UK's position as a global hub and as the best location for innovative research and commercialisation, enabling our world-leading research base to deliver healthcare solutions that can truly make a difference to people's lives.