Nature Reviews Lauds Antibiotic Collaboration Successes, Urges Sustainable R&D Funding

BioVersys AG, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Basel, Switzerland, is advocating for continued investment in antimicrobial research and development, particularly in the fight against antibiotic resistance. This call to action comes in collaboration with partners in the AMR Accelerator programme. Antibiotic resistance poses a significant threat to modern healthcare, and a recent article in Nature Reviews Drug Discovery underscores the importance of maintaining expertise and resources to develop new treatments for infectious diseases. One such success highlighted is the TRIC-TB programme, funded by the European Union’s IMI2 initiative.

TRIC-TB has achieved significant milestones, including the development of a Phase 2-ready tuberculosis (TB) clinical candidate, alpibectir, jointly developed by BioVersys and GSK. This new TB therapy is currently in Phase 2a clinical trials in South Africa, targeting TB meningitis, a condition that predominantly affects children. The programme is now seeking further funding to continue its vital research.

The AMR Accelerator programme, comprising nine European research projects, calls on governments, the private sector, and other stakeholders to invest in new antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) research. The goal is to secure a sustainable future for large-scale efforts in this field. Dr. Marc Gitzinger, CEO of BioVersys, emphasized the necessity of appropriate funding and market incentives for new antibiotics. He noted the importance of initiatives like the IMI2 programme and the need for adequate reimbursement mechanisms for life-saving antibiotics.

Dr. David Barros-Aguirre, VP and Head of Global Health Medicines R&D Unit at GSK, highlighted the need for sustainable funding mechanisms to combat AMR, which disproportionately affects lower-income countries. He pointed out the success of pooled procurement mechanisms in supporting equitable access to new vaccines and building resilient supply chains. However, such mechanisms are currently lacking for many AMR treatment opportunities.

The article also highlights the broader challenges of AMR, recognized as one of the greatest global health challenges. The United Nations General Assembly will address this issue in a high-level meeting, reflecting its global importance. Despite the urgent need for new antibiotics, low returns on investment have led many large pharmaceutical companies to exit the field, slowing the development of new treatments for bacterial infections.

The AMR Accelerator stands out for its broad scope, having received €479 million in funding from the European Commission through the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) and pharmaceutical companies that are members of EFPIA. Over the past five years, the programme has progressed 44 antibacterial projects, resulting in 16 preclinical and clinical candidates, two completed Phase 1 studies, and five ongoing Phase 1 and 2 studies. This success underscores the value of public-private partnerships in replenishing the antibiotics pipeline and providing tools and infrastructure for global research.

The synergy within the AMR Accelerator has facilitated the transfer of assets, knowledge, and expertise between projects, leading to better and more efficient science. This collaboration has strengthened the antibiotic pipeline and created a legacy of research infrastructures that support the global fight against antibiotic resistance. Key challenges remain, including ensuring the long-term sustainability of assets, infrastructures, and expertise, which requires a commitment from both governments and the pharmaceutical industry to long-term investment in antimicrobial research and antibiotics development.

BioVersys’ collaboration with GSK in the TRIC-TB project exemplifies the potential for innovative partnerships to advance the development of new treatments for TB and other serious infections. The continued success of such programmes highlights the critical need for sustained investment and support in the fight against antibiotic resistance.