Novartis joins forces with leading global health experts to tackle antimicrobial resistance

Novartis has joined more than twenty leading pharmaceutical companies to tackle antimicrobial resistance by contributing to the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Action Fund. The partnership amongst pharmaceutical companies, philanthropies, development banks and multilateral organisations aims to strengthen and accelerate antibiotic development and bring 2–4 new antibiotics to patients by 2030.¹

AMR occurs when disease-causing microorganisms develop resistance to common medicines, which makes treating illnesses much more difficult. Resistance can occur naturally over time but has also been attributed to over-use of antibiotics or for inappropriate indications such as viral infections. AMR is a rapidly developing global public health threat that has been documented and monitored by the World Health Organization for many years ².

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how vulnerable we are to infectious diseases and unlike coronavirus, AMR is predictable and preventable. At Novartis, we recognise the importance of this initiative and are pleased to contribute to the AMR Action Fund, supported by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, which aims to support investments in the research and development of novel antibiotics. Our collective goal is to catalyse innovation by working with biotech companies, government and key stakeholders to enable sustainable investment into a new pipeline of antibiotics¹.     

In 2019, the UK government published a five-year national action plan with frameworks for action to ensure progress to the twenty-year vision whereby AMR is effectively contained, controlled and mitigated by 2040. A key part of this strategy is the UK’s contribution to the global effort through a lower burden or infection, optimal use of antimicrobials and development of new diagnostics, therapies and vaccines^3-4.

By working together with leading global health experts, we will reimagine medicine by expanding the frontiers of health care to build a healthier tomorrow for all patients.

References

¹ AMR action fund. (2020) New AMR Action Fund steps in to save collapsing antibiotic pipeline with pharmaceutical industry investment of US$1 billion. Available at: https://amractionfund.com/uploads/2020/07/AMR-Press-Release-English-2020... (Accessed July 2020)

² Prestinaci F, et al. Antimicrobial resistance: a global multifaceted phenomenon, Pathogens and Global Health, 2015;109:309-18.

³ HM Government. (2019) Tackling antimicrobial resistance 2019-2024. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa... (Accessed July 2020)

⁴ HM Government. (2019) Contained and controlled. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa... (Accessed July 2020)

August 2020 | COR20-E086